It's been a subject that Tottenham Hotspur fans have discussed almost since the first day they saw Juan Foyth in action following his 2017 move from Estudiantes.

The 21-year-old Argentina international is yet to break into the Spurs team on a regular basis but is that because nobody has played him in the role which might suit him best?

Foyth is a centre-back for his club and a right-back for his country and he has an all round skill set for a young defender.

He can head, he can tackle, he has just enough of a turn of pace to keep up with most attackers, but allied to that he's incredibly comfortable on the ball and he can dribble or pass his way out of the tightest of situations.

Mourinho takes comfort from lessons learned in Munich

That description either fits a Rio Ferdinand-esque defender or it sums up the best kind of defensive midfielders.

Earlier this year football.london asked Foyth whether his then boss Mauricio Pochettino had spoken to him about switching into a defensive midfield role then or in the future.

"I don't know [if it's a future role for me]. Perhaps the technical team, if they see that it's something they're thinking about, but I wouldn't know," he admitted.

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"If they want me to play in any position I will do it."

Spurs have struggled with their holding midfielders in recent years, Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama both suffering with injuries and in the former's case illness.

Dier showed glimpses against Burnley that he was getting back to his best but then looked out of sorts once again in Germany against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.

Pochettino persisted with a makeshift pairing of Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko through much of last season and the start of this one, neither play a classic holding midfielder.

(Image: CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images)

For Pochettino to ignore his young compatriot's ability to step into the role is surprising, bearing in mind it's exactly the switch he made with Dier, who now prefers to play there rather than in central defence.

Foyth has experience in the centre of the park. He told football.london last year that he was a midfielder until as late as 16-years-old in Estudiantes' academy and an attacking one to boot before spending a short spell in the anchorman role.

"I started playing as an attacking midfielder but as time went by I grew taller, because I had been quite short, and maybe I lost a bit of the dribbling ability I had, and that’s why gradually I was moved to a defensive midfielder and then I ended up as a central defender when I was 16. It's late no?" he asked.

"In the moment I was happy because when we played small-sized games I always said ‘I’m Rio Ferdinand’.

"When I started to play there it was hard because I didn't touch the ball too much, but after a few games it was normal and I enjoyed it."

He admitted that his desire to dribble with the ball can be his undoing in the centre of the park.

"It gives me a bit more confidence on the ball, but the problem is when I play in midfield I want to take the ball every time so maybe I have to be careful," he said.

Foyth's love of both defensive and attacking football is showcased in his wide spectrum of football idols.

"I looked up to Ferdinand very much. I used to like his physical strength. Another player I used to watch a lot was Lucio at Bayern Munich – I paid attention to his style," he said.

(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

"But when I was young, Kaka was my idol because I played a bit more forward and he played in the same position. I watched the games he played for Milan against Boca Juniors [in 2007's Club World Cup final and in 2003 in the competition's predecessor The Toyota Cup].

"It’s true that it's unusual for Argentinians to idolise Brazilians, but I liked their style and personality."

Will Jose Mourinho take a look at the versatile young Argentine in a midfield role if Dier fails to rediscover his best form, or even as cover for the England international as the games come thick and fast over the festive period?

The new Spurs head coach was impressed by Foyth as he made his first appearance during his reign on Wednesday night in Munich.

"A good match for me. I don't want to speak about conclusions as it's too strong a word, but I will say some important information," Mourinho told BT Sport afterwards.

"I will give you a positive example as the positives examples are easier. Today I learned a lot about Foyth. He didn't play one minute with me until today but I learned more in this 90 minutes than in two or three weeks of work without playing.

"No conclusions but good information. Of course we played against a very good team and it's the best test is when you play against good players and good teams."

Dier excelled in his first season as a defensive midfielder, forming a powerful partnership with Mousa Dembele. It was the perfect switch by Pochettino, who realised he could not buy Wanyama that season.

Foyth has all of the attributes required to flourish in the role but as of yet no manager has thought of, or perhaps wanted to, try him as the anchorman.

If nobody does it does seem like an opportunity lost on a talented young player who is struggling for game time as it is.

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Mourinho has admitted that he would rather always play with a holding player and a passer of the ball as his central midfield partnership.

It could well end up that injuries force his hand at some point to try out Foyth in the role and the evidence suggests he would not be disappointed.