3 Tottenham Players Whose Stock Tumbled in the 2015-16 Premier League Season

Most of Tottenham's squad performed well in 2015-16. 

A surprise title challenge and a modestly impressive European campaign saw the majority of Spurs' players exceed expectations, but even in a positive season, some players are always going to slip down the pecking order. 

The emergence of Eric Dier and Dele Alli as international-class stars as well as Mousa Dembele's remarkable awakening meant several of last season's stars found themselves standing on the outside looking in. 

Hugo Lloris, unquestionably the club's No. 1 goalkeeper, was one who performed below his usual brilliant level this past season, but he would have to slip far further to have a place on this list. 

Instead, three of Tottenham's most used players of 2014-15 feature here.

Nacer Chadli

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Nacer Chadli had something of a breakout year in 2014-15. 

The Belgian had struggled in his first season in England but hit 13 goals in 45 appearances to finish as the club's second-highest scorer behind only Christian Eriksen. 

A relic of the spending spree that followed Gareth Bale's move to Real Madrid, Chadli was not one of Mauricio Pochettino's signings, and it seems unlikely that the Argentinian would have sanctioned the move had he been in charge in 2013. 

Chadli is powerful, a reliable goalscorer and reasonably pacy. 

What he lacks are Pochettino's preferred assets of high energy, aggression and positional discipline. 

Chadli scored a couple of key goals as Spurs built their title challenge in early 2016, but he has mostly been relegated to an impact substitute role. 

Alli is an equally, at least, dangerous attacking player but works infinitely harder than Chadli. 

The Belgian's demotion has even cost him a place for this summer's European Championships in France. 

A summer departure likely beckons as Tottenham seek upgraded options for their Champions League tilt. 

Ryan Mason

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Ryan Mason's emergence was one of the highlights of a middling campaign in 2014-15. 

One of several academy graduates to establish himself in the first team, Mason never attained the popularity of Harry Kane but was occasionally also serenaded with Kane's "one of our own" terrace anthem. 

From a Premier League debut against Arsenal to an England cap, Mason was living the dream. 

This season has been a nightmare. 

He started just 16 times in all competitions, only eight times in the Premier League. 

Finally given his chance to play in his preferred attacking role against Sunderland, Mason scored the winner but was injured in the process. 

While he was sidelined for six weeks, Spurs found a midfield balance that had previously eluded them. 

Once he returned, Mason was generally used in a rotational role. 

In the final weeks of the season, he was restored to the starting lineup as Dele Alli and Mousa Dembele were suspended. 

Unfortunately, he was asked to play in the deep-lying role, emulating Dembele as best he could. This is not his strong suit, and he struggled accordingly. 

It is possible that the ankle injury that struck him down in December has not yet fully abated.

Regardless, Mason has taken a significant step back this season and could find himself sold over the summer to fund Pochettino's transfers. 

That would be harsh rebuke to a committed player with evident quality. 

He should at least be given a full pre-season to prove himself once again. 

Nabil Bentaleb

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Nabil Bentaleb was among Spurs' best players in 2014-15, producing a particularly impressive performance in the 2-1 win over Arsenal.

Bentaleb was another of Tottenham's most reliable players last season, but the Algerian made only 14 appearances in this campaign with all but six coming as substitute. 

Delays to his contract extension over the summer were said to have caused an issue with Bentaleb complaining to the press. 

Pochettino's reputation for harshly dealing with dissent has stimulated speculation that Bentaleb's time out of the team was a punishment of sorts. 

The Argentinian has subsequently denied any problems with Bentaleb. 

Regardless of the off-field stories, Bentaleb started on the opening day at Old Trafford but was hauled off with Spurs trailing. 

He was then hit with two ankle injuries before a knee injury knocked him out for the remainder of the season. 

Bentaleb's stock was as high as virtually anyone in Tottenham's squad at the end of last season, but he is now being named alongside the likes of Federico Fazio as being surplus to requirements. 

He has proven his quality since his 2013 debut and can certainly win back his place next season.