Which Players Make Up Tottenham's Strongest Midfield Right Now?

Tottenham Hotspur's midfield has already suffered a host of injuries in this young Premier League season. 

Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason were the first-choice pairing in the last campaign, but both have been limited by fitness this term.

Christian Eriksen, also a first-team mainstay in 2014-15, has been similarly blighted by a knee injury. 

The young trio were key to a successful first season under Mauricio Pochettino, and the Argentinian manager would have been expecting to count on them again in Year 2. 

Instead, Pochettino has been forced to improvise. 

In place of Bentaleb and Mason, Dele Alli and Eric Dier have been preferred in the middle. 

Few Premier League teams rely on a midfield core with an average age of just 20. Tottenham have done so while pushing steadily up the table. 

That achievement places them in ever rarer company. 

Neither Alli nor Dier had started a Premier League game in midfield before the start of this season, but each is already becoming a vital cog in Pochettino's machine. 

Dier has stunned most close observers by flourishing as a defensive midfielder. 

Initially struggling with his positioning and appearing timid in possession, Dier is growing with every match. 

His willingness to fly boldly into tackles belies the decade in which he is playing his football. 

That tendency, his simple haircut and, mercifully, black boots make him a throwback to 1980s-style football in the best possible way.

Spurs are developing a fearsome reputation, and their monster in the middle is key to that. 

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He has already accrued five yellow cards, and his absence for Tottenham's next Premier League match, against Liverpool on Oct. 17, will be keenly felt. 

Few would have thought Dier would deliver so much in this unfamiliar position, but even less was expected of Alli.

The leap from League 1 to the Premier League is a steep one, so Alli's heroics with MK Dons in the third tier were no guarantee he could deliver immediately, but he has done all that and more. 

He scored with virtually his first touch as a substitute against Leicester City and has consistently injected valuable dynamism to Tottenham's middle.

Helping to overload the attacking areas is a vital function of the modern midfielder, and Alli is excellent in this role. 

The pair deserves to continue starting behind the evolving attacking trio in Pochettino's preferred formation.

Dier's imminent suspension will force a reshuffle, however, even if it's only temporary. 

Mousa Dembele has recently returned from injury and could be drafted into midfield temporarily, but he lacks the requisite skill set to directly replace Dier.

His impressive strength and unmatched ability to hold the ball make him a viable option, but he lacks the needed aggression.

Tom Carroll has been utilised in the Europa League and League Cup so far and could be an option to join the lineup, but he is a creator, not the destroyer that Spurs will need.

If Bentaleb is fit enough to return, he is the obvious candidate to be introduced to the lineup. 

The Algerian has struggled for form and fitness this season, but his excellent displays in the last 18 months have earned him the benefit of the doubt.

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The most advantageous impact of Spurs' Dier-Alli pairing this season has been the players' ability to screen Tottenham's improving back line. 

Spurs have conceded just three goals in their last five Premier League games. 

With a misfiring Harry Kane, Eriksen absent through injury and the up-and-down nature of Erik Lamela's form, Tottenham have continued to collect vital points.

Dier and Alli have played a major role in screening the back line in recent months, and that must be replicated in Spurs' next midfield. 

Mason and Bentaleb could both be deployed in that role alongside the more forward-minded Alli for the Liverpool match.

Both Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen have experience in defensive midfield for previous clubs, but neither has played that role for Tottenham. 

Alderweireld and Vertonghen are Spurs' best defensive partnership, and moving either into midfield would only be temporary.

With Kevin Wimmer available to replace one of the Belgians in central defence, this last resort would not cripple the back four. 

In any case, Tottenham's strongest midfield has not started since the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on the opening day of the season. 

On that day, Dier was handed the proverbial baptism of fire—thrown into an unfamiliar role against the multimillion-pound midfield at Old Trafford—and he fared adequately. 

He has since risen to greater heights and can now be considered a certainty in Pochettino's best lineup. 

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Bentaleb may not be the man to replace Dier against Liverpool, but before long, he will be playing alongside him in Spurs' best team. 

Without a recognised defensive midfielder, Bentaleb has emerged as one of Europe's most exciting young central midfielders.

With Dier locking the door behind him, Bentaleb would have far greater freedom from defensive responsibilities. 

Bentaleb has already been a brilliant player without the right players beside him. Not only will Bentaleb improve with Dier alongside him, but the opposite is also true. 

Bentaleb is not a true defensive midfielder, but his positioning is excellent. He is also a more than capable tackler.

He will take pressure off Dier and, hopefully, help him to avoid so many bookings. 

Once they are able to play consistently together, they will emerge as a brilliant pair. 

Mason is the big loser following the emergence of Dier. 

The local boy was an unsung hero last season, but he must now compete for a place in the attacking trio behind the main striker or make do with a substitute's role.

It is especially harsh on a player who has been more impressive than Bentaleb this season, but the Algerian is capable of far more.

Dier and Bentaleb will provide an excellent base for Pochettino's team. 

The players deployed higher up the pitch in his formation will be absolved of most defensive duties, freeing their energy for attacking moves.

Tottenham have a great wealth of options in midfield, and Dier and Bentaleb form the greatest possible combination.