After a dominant performance, capped by the winning goal, in Tottenham Hotspur's decisive 1-0 Europa League victory over Partizan Belgrade on Thursday night, Benjamin Stambouli deserves a start in the Premier League.In a game overshadowed by pitch invasions and the repeated failings of Roberto Soldado in front of goal, it was Stambouli's performance that caught the eye on a positive note.An all-action, box-to-box display was full of bite and determination, and the French midfielder's goal sealed the deal.With Spurs set to host Everton at White Hart Lane on Sunday, manager Mauricio Pochettino's assertion that he is "especially" happy for Stambouli after this performance could allude to a first league start for the midfielder against the Toffees.With Roberto Martinez's side sitting level on points with Spurs, and one place above them through the virtue of goal difference, this clash is vital.One crucial area to master will be the midfield, and this is a domain that both Spurs have been lacking in of late, and one that Stambouli's inclusion may solve.Stambouli vs. PartizanIn the Europa League on Thursday night, Stambouli was one of the standout performers for Spurs, alongside the impressive Ben Davies and a consistent Aaron Lennon.Taking advantage of the opposition's remote midfield, the No. 25 burst through the Partizan ranks with persistence, making five successful dribblessecond only to the typically direct Erik Lamela.Defensively, the midfielder was vitalparticularly with Mousa Dembele underperformingand six interceptions made him the most perceptive player on the pitch. With five successful tackles, too, Stambouli also contributed to Spurs' physical game adroitly.His finish, after some great work involving the misfiring Soldado, was a rare incisive effort for Spurs.Two of the side's six shots on target came from the midfielder.This was a performance that bore all the hallmarks of a determination and ambition that Stambouli has exuded since his move from Montpellier in September.Prior to that month's North London derby, the midfielder claimed, per the Daily Express, that "other players say to me that I will really find out what it is to be a Spurs player when you play against Arsenal."Stambouli continued "I cannot wait for the game and am ready to play because I want to experience that atmosphere."Despite not featuring in that encounter, the Frenchman outlined how resolute he is to perform and achieve at Spurs.Stambouli also noted how former Spurs midfielders "Chris Waddle, who played for Marseille, and David Ginola were two of my favourite players," and the charismatic 24-year-old has elements of the pair in his character.This has even seen Stambouli declare, per the London Evening Standard, that Spurs can win the Premier League.While this is an outlandish statement at present, his assertions that the side "have to be more confident" astutely underlines a key issue that his inclusion could address.Spurs' MidfieldStambouli was arguably gifted the start against Partizan due to an ongoing injury problem for Pochettino's first-choice defensive midfielder Etienne Capoue.The midfielder, Stamboui's compatriot and former Ligue 1 adversary, has made 11 appearances in the league so far this season, with only Christian Eriksen and Hugo Lloris starting more games.Capoue is an adept defensive player, with an average of 2.6 tackles and 2.9 interceptions per league game so far this season.However, despite these qualities, the midfielder can be dangerously ponderous on the ball and has contributed to a disjointed central area this season.This could be evidenced as Bojan Krkic tore through the Spurs midfield to score in Stoke City's 2-1 victory over the side at White Hart Lane.Having missed the side's last two games, against Hull City and Partizan, Capoue is considered a doubt for the visit of Everton by BBC Sport.Following the win over Partizan, Spurs goalkeeper Lloris outlined, per UEFA.com, how the side "have a style with a lot of short passes and therefore any mistake can be a big opportunity for the opponents."Striker Harry Kane continued the assessment of teething problems in adjusting to Pochettino's style, suggesting that Spurs "have to go out there and express ourselves more, get on the ball and not be afraid to give it away."Despite the defensive capabilities of players like Capoue and Ryan Mason, Spurs' midfield have struggled to gain a foothold in games so far under their new manager.Stambouli's performance against Partizan, and the sheer determination on show since his move to White Hart Lane in the summer, could demonstrate to Pochettino exactly why the French midfielder should be selected against Everton on Sunday.The energetic Frenchman could be the perfect tonic.The Premier LeagueClearly, the Premier League is a completely different challenge to that of the Europa League, and the lower-level Serbian opposition is far from Martinez's Everton.Performances in such encounters don't necessarily have a marker on domestic pedigree, as precedent suggests.Stambouli faces a similar fight for a Premier League place that Kane has struggled with so far this season, in translating performances for the side in Europe to a first-team place under Pochettino on the domestic stage.On the striker, Pochettino recently referred to his rotational approach to squad selection, per Sky Sports, claiming "The Premier League, Europa League and Capital One Cup are all different competitions but afterwards we always analyse each player for the next game."The manager continued that "[Kane] shares the minutes with the other strikers, Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado, and all the players have the opportunity to play."As Pochettino concluded that "we always put the strongest side out that we can," he summarised the need to assess each player's suitability to the situation at hand.However, Kane vindicated calls for his starting in the league with a goal against Hull City in Spurs' last outing, and now stands as the side's joint-top goal-scoring striker.Emmanuel Adebayor joins Kane with two goals, despite having started nine games to the Englishman's two.With Spurs currently toothless in midfield, Stambouli's showing against Partizanaside from his goal, being a strong, dominant performanceshould underline why the former Montpellier man deserves a start under Pochettino in the league.It may be early days still for Benjamin Stambouli, but the midfielder has shown why he deserves a Premier League start against Everton on SundayMauricio Pochettino must assess his players' current form as well as the weaknesses of his opposition.Statistics via WhoScored.com.Follow @LusbyLatestRead more World Football news on BleacherReport.com
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