Why Nabil Bentaleb Is the Tottenham Man with Most on Line After Internationals

Tottenham Hotspur's Nabil Bentaleb began this season with his worst trait coming to the fore. His giveaway that led to Manchester United's winning goal on opening day was a reminder of the poor concentration that was just about the only major flaw in his otherwise strong 2014-15.

Bentaleb was not alone in looking rusty in Tottenham's winless August.

Unfortunately for the midfielder, subsequently suffering an ankle injury has denied him the chance to get his season up and running as other team-mates have.

Set to return to contention after the international break—during which he has joined up with the Algeria national team, as confirmed by the player above—Bentaleb's time on the sidelines has left him as the Spurs player with most on the line when club competition resumes. At least in terms of immediate involvement.

The situation of a more obvious candidate in Andros Townsend has already been covered.

Back in the summer, things were certainly shaping up nicely for Bentaleb.

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After breaking into the Tottenham first team in 2013-14, last season saw him cement a regular spot in new head coach Mauricio Pochettino's side. Joining Ryan Mason in keeping more experienced team-mates out of the team, his all-round ability shone during the team's healthy middle third of the season.

Bentaleb's form tailed off slightly—the aforementioned poor concentration manifesting itself in some sloppy displays such as the defeats to Liverpool and Aston Villa—with Pochettino working his midfielders to the point where tiredness clearly began to set in.

On the whole, though, the 20-year-old had more to be pleased with than not.

It was why there was much satisfaction when a report by Henry Winter of the Telegraph suggesting that Arsenal, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain were seeking to tempt him amid contract uncertainties proved nothing more than scuttlebutt.

A new five-year contract was agreed on, with Bentaleb setting himself lofty individual and team targets.

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"You have to improve all the time and if you don’t, I consider that a failure," he told Spurs' official website. "Last season we finished fifth, it’s a good platform and we have to do better now, we have to achieve things to thank the fans who are always behind us."

In his absence, the latter effort has begun promisingly. Spurs sit fifth in the Premier League and just five points off top spot after Sunday's 1-1 north London derby draw.

But as has been the case for his fellow 2014-15 standout Mason in recent weeks, his attempts to improve individually will have to be negotiated amid a changed midfield picture.

The central midfield partnership of Dele Alli and Eric Dier has gone from strength to strength, both of them receiving England call-ups in recognition of their good performances. In the last month, Mousa Dembele has also found his way into the rotation, the versatile Belgian helping to facilitate an even greater flexibility in their collective work.

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Dier has all but made the midfield anchor role his own, his experience as a defender informing a positional discipline and tackling prowess none of his team-mates can match.

As things stand, that leaves Bentaleb looking at the other central midfield and attacking central midfield spots for possible playing time.

Patience is going to be required, but like with Mason, Pochettino will almost certainly hand the Algeria international opportunities to impress—Qarabag away in the UEFA Europa League is a good bet for his first start since August.

It will be what he offers here in comparison to the qualities shown by Alli and Dembele that will dictate whether he can move back ahead of them in the pecking order.

The precocious Alli has taken even less time than Bentaleb did to adjust to top-flight football—his Football League experience trumping his new team-mate's academy development here. He's still learning how to make smart choices in different situations but is already confident in virtually all aspects of his game. He has settled well.

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Although engaging with—and often getting the better of—his Arsenal counterparts headed his duties last weekend, Dembele has also looked revitalised as an attacking contributor of late.

He has revelled in the chances created by Spurs' pressing game in a way that was one of the big questions surrounding Bentaleb's development within Pochettino's style this season—the young midfielder has scored just once for the north Londoners so far, a sublime volley against Newcastle United in the Capital One Cup Quarter-Final last season.

Barring Pochettino rating him so highly that he will be willing to immediately replace one of Alli or Dembele, it will not be easy for Bentaleb to reclaim a starting spot. But as one of Tottenham's spikiest performers and most determined characters, do not expect him to concede playing time without a fight.

"I remember what got me to the first team in the first place and it was because I worked really hard every day in the Academy and in the Development Squad and if I lose that work ethic, I will lose myself," he told his club's website earlier this year.

"I can’t afford to do that, it’s what got me here."

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