Mousa Dembélé was one of Tottenham Hotspur’s most technically gifted midfielders, admired for his strength, close control and incredible ability to escape pressure. Although his goals and assists were limited, his influence on the team was undeniable. But what has the former Spurs star been doing since leaving football?
Dembélé’s remarkable spell at Tottenham
Dembélé joined Tottenham in the summer of 2012 from Fulham for around £15 million. During his seven years at the club, he made 250 appearances and scored 10 goals, establishing himself as a key figure in midfield.
His unique playing style made him difficult to categorise. He combined physical strength, exceptional dribbling, intelligent ball control and defensive ability, making him one of the most complete midfielders in the Premier League.
Under Mauricio Pochettino, Dembélé became an important part of Tottenham’s successful side that regularly challenged for a place in the Premier League’s top four.
Pochettino was particularly impressed by the Belgian, even describing him as one of the football geniuses he had been fortunate to work with, alongside legendary talents such as Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho and Jay-Jay Okocha.
The former Spurs manager also believed Dembélé could have become one of the best players in the world if he had been able to work with him from a younger age.
Persistent injuries began to take their toll
Despite his outstanding performances, Dembélé’s career was increasingly affected by injuries.
A recurring foot problem during the 2016/17 campaign limited his appearances, eventually forcing him to undergo surgery. After the operation, he admitted that he would probably never return to complete fitness and had to manage the pain throughout his remaining career.
Nevertheless, his performances continued to attract widespread praise, with many observers considering him among the Premier League’s finest midfield controllers.
His final appearance for Tottenham came against Wolverhampton Wanderers in November 2018, when an ankle ligament injury ruled him out for the remainder of the year.
Why Dembélé left Tottenham for China
In January 2019, Tottenham agreed to sell Dembélé to Chinese club Guangzhou R&F for approximately £11 million.
Although financial considerations played a part in his decision, the midfielder also wanted to experience a different culture and take on a new challenge outside European football.
His new environment offered a more relaxed approach that helped him cope with his physical problems. However, the heat and distance from his loved ones made life difficult.
Things became even more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic, when strict restrictions kept players confined to hotels for extended periods.
Dembélé later explained that family was extremely important to him. Being separated from his wife and children for months, alongside long periods without seeing other relatives, eventually influenced his decision to step away from the game.
He had initially planned to continue playing in China until the end of 2022, but the pandemic and uncertainty surrounding his club changed those plans.
His last competitive appearance came in August 2021, and his retirement officially took effect on 1 January 2023.
What is Mousa Dembélé doing now?
Since retiring, Dembélé has settled in Lisbon, Portugal, where he has focused on life outside professional football.
He rarely watches matches these days, except when following his son Maleec, who is part of Sporting Lisbon’s academy system.
The former Tottenham midfielder has also turned his attention towards property investments. Although he has considered using his experience to help young footballers develop, he has shown little interest in becoming a coach or football agent.
However, Dembélé has occasionally returned to the pitch for special appearances, including a spell in the Baller League, where he played alongside former stars such as John Arne Riise and Mario Balotelli.
His appearance offered fans another reminder of the extraordinary technical ability that made him such a special player during his time in England.
The secret behind Dembélé’s incredible playing style
Looking back on his career, Dembélé explained that he always wanted to make life difficult for his opponents. His priority was to prevent them from dribbling past him or taking the ball away from him.
His own dribbling ability, however, relied heavily on instinct rather than carefully planned movements.
He believed spontaneity was essential to beating opponents, explaining that players who overthink their actions can become predictable. Throughout his career, he tried to preserve that natural ability to improvise on the pitch.
Although his time at the highest level ended earlier than many supporters would have wanted, Dembélé remains fondly remembered by Tottenham fans for his strength, composure and extraordinary ball control.
Mousa Dembélé may no longer be a professional footballer, but his legacy as one of Tottenham’s most underrated midfield talents lives on. ⚪💙
