Spurs need a Rodri-style enforcer if they are to close gap to top three

MANCHESTER CITY achieved a surprising milestone in their 5-1 drubbing of Luton on Saturday: the champions managed to win a league game without midfielder Rodri.

- Dan Kilpatrick

City had lost their four previous fixtures when the Spaniard was missing and were also dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Newcastle without him.

If Pep Guardiola's side win another title or even a double-treble - Rodri will again have a case to have been their most indispensable player.

Similarly, Arsenal's development into a steelier team this season has been driven in large by the addition of Declan Rice, who should be a contender for Premier League player of the year, regardless of whether he ends up a title-winner.

In short, a top defensive midfielder can be the difference between a good team and a great one, which brings us in a roundabout way to Tottenham.

In the first seven games of the season, Spurs appeared to have a world-class No6 of their own in Yves Bissouma, who was magnificent in their flying start under Ange Postecoglou, finally looking like the combative, press-resistant, tempo-setting midfielder they signed from Brighton in 2022.