Joe Cole heaps praise on Tottenham Hotspur star Gio Lo Celso

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Joe Cole has told Joe’s All To Play For podcast that Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Gio Lo Celso needs to start adding more goals to his game, but has applauded his recent form – claiming Jose Mourinho was always right about the Argentine.

Lo Celso, 24, has broken back into the Tottenham side this season after a slow start with injury. He was afforded just his third Premier League start of the season, replacing Tanguy Ndombele in the midfield who remained an unused substitute.

The 21-time Argentina international was excellent against Liverpool, laying a perfect through ball to Son Heung-min who finished to equalise at Anfield. Clocking up 55 appearances for Spurs, he has only had a hand in 11 goals.

Capable of magic, £70k-a-week (Spotrac) Lo Celso needs to add consistency to his game. But Cole is a big fan and praised Mourinho for sticking with the ex-PSG man despite his slow start – now claiming he “dominates games”.

“Tottenham were at it on Wednesday night,” Cole said. “They did everything right, tactically spot on. Son’s goal, the ball from Lo Celso outside of the ball was on point. Listen, Jose doesn’t get it wrong a lot. Lo Celso had a bit of a slow start.

“But Jose was really singing his praises. He doesn’t get it wrong, and I look at Lo Celso now – he drives the ball through the lines. Id on’t know if he gets on the score sheet enough, that will come. He is a footballer. He dominates games.”

TBR’s view – Lo Celso underrated cog in Tottenham’s well-oiled machine

When counter-attacking, a team needs a player that can connect the midfield and attack that is capable of getting weight of pass absolutely perfect. Getting that pass right allows the speed and flow of a counter attack to work.

Lo Celso is capable of that. The Premier League era is beginning to move on from luxury number 10’s that are more praised for their ability on the ball – rather than off it. Mesut Ozil has been ostracised, while Christian Eriksen struggled before leaving.

Lo Celso, though, has a bit of both. Perhaps not as creatively good as Eriksen or Ozil, he is nearly as good – but crucially, he has the ability to work hard and the terrier-like aggression to win the ball. He is underrated, but pivotal to Spurs.