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'Unbelievable talent'

Mauricio Pochettino compares in-form Tottenham ace Mousa Dembele to Diego Maradona

The Spurs boss also likened the Belgian to Barcelona legend Ronaldinho and Premier League veteran Jay-Jay Okocha

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MAURICIO POCHETTINO says Mousa Dembele’s recent form backs up his claim that the Spurs midfielder is up there with Diego Maradona.

The Tottenham boss wrote in his recent book that Dembele was one of five “genius” players he had encountered in his career.

 Dembele has been a consistent figure in Tottenham's team this season
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Dembele has been a consistent figure in Tottenham's team this seasonCredit: Reuters

And the Belgian’s displays in the last month in big games against Manchester United, Liverpool, Juventus and Arsenal have gone some way to living up to his manager’s amazing claim.

Pochettino said: “I can only talk about him because I know very well him after nearly four years.

“And I told you and then some people use my words to describe him as a genius of the football.

"And for me he is this type of player, I think I told you in my book, I put him next to Ronaldinho, Maradona, Okocha – players that I was lucky to play with.

 Mauricio Pochettino likened the Belgian to Diego Maradona
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Mauricio Pochettino likened the Belgian to Diego MaradonaCredit: Getty - Contributor

“I think for me is one of the unbelievable talents in the history of football.

"It has been difficult for him with his fitness but now he's in an amazing moment.


MOU'S NO1? Forget Kane and Alli, Spurs' best player at the moment is Mousa Dembele


“Of course always for him it was difficult to get fit.

“But now he is in an amazing moment and for me he deserves all the praise that people are giving him.”

 Dembele dominated during the Champions League tie with Juventus
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Dembele dominated during the Champions League tie with JuventusCredit: AFP or licensors

The 30-year-old was hailed as the perfect midfielder by SunSport columnist Danny Higginbotham after Tottenham's 2-2 draw with Juventus.

He completed 94 of his 99 passes and made four successful dribbles - the highest number on the pitch.

 Pochettino believes that Dembele falls into the same category as Barcelona legend Ronaldinho
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Pochettino believes that Dembele falls into the same category as Barcelona legend RonaldinhoCredit: Getty - Contributor
Tottenham star Danny Rose gives Ryan Mason tribute as he kisses camera after Harry Kane spurs goal at Rochdale

 

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