Rodrigo Bentancur has been dribbled past nine times in the Premier League, exposing a major defensive weakness in Tottenham’s midfield.
As Tottenham Hotspur continue to process a deeply alarming start to the 2026/27 campaign, Roberto De Zerbi has repeatedly pointed to defensive fragility and central transition lapses as the root causes of Spurs’ ongoing crisis. Languishing in 20th place following a frustrating 3-2 defeat against Aston Villa, fresh statistical metrics have laid bare precisely where Tottenham’s engine room is breaking down.
According to underlying metric data published by WhoScored on X, Rodrigo Bentancur has been dribbled past 9 times in the Premier League this season. That figure represents the highest total recorded by any player across the entire top flight, highlighting a glaring structural weakness at the base of Tottenham’s midfield.
A Structural Flaw in De Zerbi’s Defensive Transition
Bentancur has long been regarded as one of Tottenham’s most reliable and technically adept midfielders, valued for his press resistance, composure, and tactical awareness. However, within De Zerbi’s high-risk, expansive system, the 29-year-old Uruguayan international is frequently left exposed in wide-open central zones during turnover phases.
When Spurs commit numbers forward to sustain final-third dominance, opposition teams are routinely targeting the space directly behind Tottenham’s pressing block. Bentancur being dribbled past 9 times highlights a troubling failure to halt opposition ball-carriers early in transition, forcing Tottenham’s backline into frantic recovery defending. Against Villa, De Zerbi even reshuffled Bentancur temporarily into central defense during a red card sequence, illustrating the heavy positional load placed on the midfielder.
This stat arrives at a delicate moment for De Zerbi as he searches for greater compactness and emotional resilience across the pitch. The Italian coach recently publicly criticized his players for failing to remain structured and communicate when matches dictate defending deep rather than dominating possession.
If Tottenham are to halt their current slide and pull clear of the relegation zone, stabilizing the central midfield pivot is non-negotiable. Whether De Zerbi chooses to adjust Bentancur’s defensive responsibilities or partner him with a more dynamic ball-winner, plugging this midfield leak will be vital before Spurs travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United after the international break.
