It’s fair to say that injuries have took their toll on Tottenham Hotspur throughout 2017, but is recurring injury problems the beginning of the end for Spurs’ Mousa Dembele?

Since arriving at Spurs back in 2012, Mousa Dembele has been somewhat of a ‘diamond in the rough’. But since the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino, the Belgian has enjoyed a renaissance at Tottenham and has been a key component for Pochettino in transitioning his side from perennial underachievers to one of the most feared teams in the country.

In 2016, the former Fulham man went over six months without being tackled. At the peak of his powers Dembele’s ball retention, strength and ability to glide past players made him one of the best midfielders in the country and has been hailed as “the best footballer at Spurs” by his teammates. However, it has been a tough few months for the ballerina-feet brute.

During pre-season the 30 year old revealed he will “never be fit enough to play for Tottenham – but shall play through the pain”. The vouch to put on a brave face and do his job has caught up with the Belgian this season, with Dembele completing just five of his 19 appearances this season.

The Belgian’s long term Spurs career looks fairly bleak with the development of Harry Winks and the reported interest in Ross Barkley suggesting that the wounded warrior could be set to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of next season (2018/2019 season).

Mousa Dembele in his prime was one of the most graceful and skillful midfielders I’ve had the pleasure of watching, however recurring injuries and the inability to see out full games makes me think that he may be set to leave the club in the near future.