Antonio Rudiger says player Tottenham sold for £11m is the most underrated player he’s ever seen

Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid celebrates after Daniel Carvajal scores the third goal for Real Madrid in a LaLiga match. Antonio Rudiger says Mousa Dembele is the most underrated player he has ever seen. Tottenham Hotspur have had many great players over the years. Gareth Bale and Luka Modric are famous examples who left for bigger clubs. Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham team was praised for their attractive football. They nearly won the Premier League and Champions League. Rudiger thinks a key player from Pochettino’s team is very underrated.

Mousa Dembele played 250 games for Tottenham between 2012 and 2019. Rudiger quickly named Dembele as the most underrated player he has seen. Dembele retired in 2022 after playing in China. Rudiger was very impressed by Dembele’s abilities. He doesn’t understand why Dembele didn’t play for an even bigger club. Rudiger says Dembele had everything as a player. He describes Dembele as incredibly strong like a wall. Rudiger praises Dembele’s technique and ability to handle pressure.

Dembele could receive the ball with two opponents behind him and have no problem. Dembele was considered one of the Premier League’s best midfielders in his prime. He had amazing strength and ability to carry the ball. Dembele’s technical skills let him play different midfield roles easily. He had a great career at the top level. Tottenham sold Dembele to Chinese club Guangzhou R&F for about £11 million in January 2019.

Dembele played in China for three years before retiring. Dembele was a key part of successful Tottenham and Belgium teams. His performances in midfield were often spectacular to watch. Many fans and pundits regarded Dembele very highly during his career. Rudiger’s comments show the huge respect Dembele earned from opponents. Even years after leaving Tottenham, Dembele is still remembered as a special talent. His unique combination of physical and technical skills made him stand out.

Rudiger suggests Dembele could have played for the very top clubs in the world. It’s high praise from a player who has competed at the highest levels himself. Dembele’s impact at Tottenham clearly left a lasting impression on those who faced him. The £11 million fee Tottenham received for Dembele now seems like excellent business. At his peak, Dembele would have been worth far more in today’s transfer market.

Rudiger’s words highlight how some players can be underappreciated during their careers. Even top professionals like Rudiger were in awe of Dembele’s abilities on the pitch. It shows the respect Dembele commanded from his peers in football. Rudiger’s praise may lead some to reevaluate Dembele’s legacy in the Premier League. While not the most famous name, Dembele clearly had a major impact on opponents.

His technical and physical gifts made him a nightmare to play against. Rudiger’s comments give insight into how opponents viewed Tottenham during that era. With players like Dembele, Tottenham were clearly a formidable team to face. It adds context to how close that Tottenham team came to winning major trophies. Rudiger’s praise shows the high regard many players had for Pochettino’s Tottenham side. Even after retiring, Dembele’s reputation among fellow professionals remains very strong. It’s a reminder of the world-class talent Tottenham possessed during that period. Rudiger’s words are a fitting tribute to an often underappreciated Premier League star.