“I’m sorry to say, i mean no disrespect to Tottenham, but I don’t know how he didn’t play for a higher club, i really don’t know how because he had everything, i’ve never seen someone as strong as him he was like a wall”- Real Madrid’s Antonio Rüdiger calls former Tottenham star the most Highly Talented player he’s ever faced whose talent shouldn’t be wasted in club like Spurs
Antonio Rüdiger of Real Madrid has labeled former Tottenham player Mousa Dembélé as the most underrated opponent he has ever faced.
Dembélé enjoyed a nine-year career in the Premier League, with seven years spent at Tottenham. During his time at the North London club, he made 249 appearances and contributed to 20 goals.
Despite never being in the spotlight, the 37-year-old was one of Tottenham’s most reliable players. The club paid €19 million to acquire him from Fulham in 2012, and Dembélé certainly justified that investment.
In a recent episode of The Inside Scoop Podcast, Rüdiger praised Dembélé’s skills, stating, “Mousa Dembélé from Tottenham Hotspur. Wow, wow. I don’t know how he didn’t play for a bigger club. He had everything. I’ve never seen anyone as strong as him—he was like a wall. And his technique was exceptional. He never felt pressure. You could pass him the ball even with two men on him—no problem!”
Rüdiger faced Dembélé during his early years at Chelsea and was struck by the midfielder’s abilities. He struggles to understand why Dembélé didn’t play for a club with a higher profile, noting that he possessed all the qualities needed to be among the top midfielders. Dembélé was capable of maintaining possession and navigating through opponents effortlessly.
After his seven years at Spurs, Dembélé moved to Guangzhou in the Chinese Super League but retired at just 34, three years later.
