What Is Tottenham Hotspur's Strongest Midfield Right Now?

In previewing Tottenham Hotspur's Premier League campaign, the only thing most observers would have expected less than second place in February would be that lofty position was earned on the strength of their midfield.

Spurs' failure to reinforce in midfield in the summer appeared a major strategic error, and the apparent absence of a specialist defensive midfielder seemed a fatal flaw.

Mauricio Pochettino has remarkably crafted Spurs' best midfield in decades.

His focus on controlling the game around the double pivot of Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele has been crucial.

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

The best defence in the division (20 goals conceded) and a prolific attack (47 scored) are both built upon the foundation of Dier and Dembele's powerful presence. 

Before this season,  Dier was regarded as a promising but unpolished central defender who could deputise at right-back in an emergency. 

He is now a virtually certain selection in Roy Hodgson's England squad for the UEFA European Championship in the summer.

Dier's progress has been swift, and his capacity to drop in as third centre-back when Spurs are on the attack is crucial to the freedom with which their full-backs play.

Apart from the one match he missed through suspension for yellow-card accumulation, Dier has played every minute of Tottenham's Premier League campaign and looks utterly at home at the base of their midfield.

Dier's instincts as a central defender make him the perfect protector of Spurs' back line, and his physical strength and size (6'2") allow him to impose himself on even the most highly rated opponents.

The position alongside Dier has been occupied by a number of different players throughout this season. 

Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason, both first-choice players last season, have had a handful of opportunities, but neither could secure the spot for the long term. 

It is remarkable Spurs have moved so swiftly on from last season's preferred pairing, but the flaws of the Mason-Bentaleb duo were obvious.

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Pochettino's willingness to evolve exemplifies the toughness that has marked him out during his impressive managerial career so far.

A bigger shock than the emergence of Dier as a brutally efficient defensive midfielder has been the re-emergence of Dembele.

After two disappointing seasons, his Spurs career appeared to be on life support, but Pochettino has helped him find his best again.

Dembele is able to relieve midfield pressing and effectively puncture opposition tactics with a unique ability to constantly find space.

Few players across Europe combine strength and skill as Dembele does.

It is a welcome change for Spurs supporters that his ability is finally being seen with regularity in meaningful matches.

Tottenham's coaches famously described Dembele as being bound for Real Madrid, according to former trainer Les Ferdinand, speaking on ITV (h/t MailOnline), so impressive were the skills he showed in training.

That was a laughable assertion 12 months ago, but that's no longer the case.

Dembele is probably Spurs' most important midfielder.

Their most recent fixture, the 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday, was a study of that fact.

In the first half, Dembele was central to Tottenham's dominance. His withdrawal at the interval coincided with a loss of control that proved decisive.

Dele Alli has been an able deputy for Dembele, but his talents are better suited to a more advanced role.

His flair, willingness to drift into wide areas and ability to break into the box as an auxiliary forward make him a perfect weapon in Pochettino's attacking-midfield line.

Dembele and Dier's combination evokes the best midfield duos in Premier League history. It is reminiscent of the division's last great pairing, Liverpool's 2008-09 vintage of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano.

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That duo fell painfully short of a league title before its components were broken up and sold to Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.

Tottenham's midfield has a rare opportunity to leave its mark this season.

Dier and Dembele make Spurs one of the Premier League's best teams. Last season, Tottenham were good but overachieved relative to how good they actually were. 

Beating Liverpool to fifth was a surprise and probably not entirely deserved as fortune smiled upon them more often than not.

This season, Spurs have been far less lucky but far better, and that is the result of their improvement in midfield. 

Certainly the additions of Toby Alderweireld, Alli and Heung-Min Son have helped, but the control Spurs exert upon games comes from Dier and Dembele. 

No other team in the division can call upon the strength and poise Tottenham have in their midfield. 

Pochettino has built something special, and he could well be rewarded with English football's ultimate prize in May.