PREMIER LEAGUE: Tottenham's dynamic duo set the tone for Pochettino revolution

Some wags on the internet have been referring to Tottenham Hotspur’s new central midfield pairing as Ali Dia after the former Southampton player, who obtained cult notoriety in 1996. Dia managed to wangle a move to the Saints after telling Graeme Souness and/or his scouting team that he was George Weah’s cousin. He was released a fortnight into his contract — a fraud.

21-year old Eric Dier and 19-year old Dele Alli look far from fraudulent. Both have now earned their place in the Spurs first team through their high-level performances, and with Mauricio Pochettino a meritocratic coach, they look likely to stay there.

Dier made 32 starts last season, his first with Spurs. He exhibited his versatility by playing at both centre-back — his favoured position — and right-back, where he impressed fans with his crossing. And yet nobody was quite prepared for his central midfield performances. He was tried out in this new role in various behind-closed doors pre-season matches, including one against Brentford; but that was not the first time that he had played there. He had a run of games in midfield for Sporting Clube de Portugal in 2013, and he looks more than familiar with the role.

Pochettino clearly wanted to add a defensive midfielder to his squad over the summer, with Morgan Schneiderlin the apparent first choice. After he signed for Manchester United, there were a few flirtations elsewhere - Sven Bender and Christoph Kramer being two of those. But nothing materialised, and so the coach has looked within the squad.

When Calum Chambers left Southampton for Arsenal, part of the rationale behind the decision to sell came from Paul Mitchell’s ‘black-box’. Mitchell had identified that Nathaniel Clyne was a better player than Chambers, and was able to advise the coaching team as much. Could Mitchell and his team have identified central midfield qualities in Dier? Honestly, I’m not sure whether the technology is so advanced as to be able to plot a player against a new position based on characteristics derived from data. But it sounds plausible.

Alongside Eric Dier is England’s Dele Alli. In four of the last five matches they have made up the central midfield pairing - with Ryan Mason, Nabil Bentaleb, and Mousa Dembélé all injured, there’s been little choice. But all three of those injured players will find it tough to get back in, such has been the success of the youthful duo. In fact, their immediate impact could even leave others surplus to requirements come January - Tom Carroll and Dembélé the two who might be deemed the most expendable should this run of form continue.

Dele Alli has taken to Premier League life instantly - combining the exuberance of being a teenager with the assuredness of a player that has played two full seasons in the middle of a League One club’s midfield. So calm in possession, he glides past players with athletic poise and impressive close control. His late runs from deep will also please Pochettino, who has clearly focused on improving his team’s ability to get into the box to support Harry Kane. With Dier mopping up behind him, Alli has that freedom. Although, of course, it was Dier, backing up the play, who opened the scoring for Spurs against Manchester City - finding the corner from range after pouncing on Kevin De Bruyne’s loose pass.

[England call-up leaves Tottenham's Alli 'speechless']

The partnership seems to have everything: the steel and defensive nous of Dier, the technique and dribbling of Alli. Dier’s tenacity, Alli’s serenity. Dier’s muscle, Alli’s athleticism. And yet, their versatility could mean that they end up playing elsewhere in the long-term —Dier as a centre-back and Alli, perhaps, as a number ten (although he’s good enough to play as an eight or a ten). This dynamic, young duo are part of a dynamic, young Spurs team in general, with Pochettino building on the principles set out in his first season. It bodes well for the club that the oldest outfield players on the books are Federico Fazio, Vertonghen and Dembélé at 28. Indeed, the average age of the team that beat City was just 24 years and 42 days: and that showed in the energy levels and tempo.

Ali Dia graduated from Northumbria University with a degree in Business in 2001. Were I writing for a red top I might want to add that Alli and Dier will graduate themselves this season. Or that both have done the business, and might even become masters. And their fees weren’t even that big! But I’m not, so I won’t.

Chris Miller
@WindyCOYS

Chris Miller is a Spurs blogger with some focus on the Academy. Hear him on @lovetheshirt. Read at WindyCOYS.com