3 players who have disappointed for Tottenham Hotspur so far this season

After 11 Premier League games, Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in an underwhelming 11th - which doesn't tell the full story given just how inconsistent they've been this term.

Just six points separate fifth-placed Arsenal and Marco Silva's Everton, who snatched a stoppage-time equaliser against Spurs on Sunday afternoon. The result means Mauricio Pochettino's men have more draws and defeats (both 4) than league victories in 2019-20, which isn't good enough for a club with their lofty ambitions.

A 7-2 group stage thrashing by Bayern Munich last month amplified fears that this current Tottenham squad have reached their collective peak, just five months after late heroics and impressive displays saw them narrowly fall short in their first Champions League Final.

As many key players - Christian Eriksen, Toby Alderweireld and Harry Kane among others - were linked with big-money moves elsewhere this summer, this squad's longevity is in question. With all of that in mind, here are three players who have disappointed for Spurs so far this season:

Honourable mention: Despite questions over consistency and commitment, it'd be unfair to place Dele Alli in this list.

Considering his struggles with persistent muscle injuries this year, the 23-year-old has played through them at times when he really shouldn't have. Now finally fit and eager to make up for lost time, he's already proving criticism of his presence is overexaggerated.

#3 Lucas Moura

Lucas has struggled for consistency, which is part of the reason he's not a regular starter

Despite that Ajax display, his hat-trick against Huddersfield and a few more memorable moments, it's been difficult for Lucas to fully integrate at Tottenham. Ultimately, he wants to develop into a key player under Pochettino - particularly at a time when Harry Kane's influence in the final third is more important than ever - though the Brazilian hasn't been able to justify a regular starting place.

Billed as someone providing Spurs with another attacking dimension, the winger-turned-centre-forward has largely suffered from predictability in his play and given his frame, can often prove to be a liability when opposition defenders are prepared for his trickery.

In 72 appearances (48 starts) to date, he's netted 18 times and created seven assists for the Lilywhites but his contributions in the final third are often bloated and don't tell the full story. His only league goal this term was a header during their 2-2 draw with Manchester City, out jumping Kyle Walker from a corner to flick beyond Ederson.

An excellent UCL strike against Olympiacos on Matchday 1 posed the question: where is he best suited in this Spurs side? That night he started as a right-winger but drifted infield to score, while he was deployed as a second striker behind Kane against the Citizens.

It's unfair to compare him to Kane as the pair are completely different players but is he more a creator than finisher? As evidenced by his quiet display at Everton, he's not a reliable goalscoring outlet, so he doesn't play there usually. If he's not careful, he could turn into an Erik Lamela, with inconsistency ruining his progress.

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#2 Harry Winks

Winks has largely flattered to deceive, despite previously showing some signs of promise

Two seasons ago, Harry Winks started against Champions League winners Real Madrid in both of Tottenham Hostpur's Group H encounters and although he was already an established, promising squad member, a star was born.

Solid but unspectacular, his composure on the ball was enough for fans to crown him as their new midfield star: Jack Wilshere and Steven Gerrard all in one.

Or so everyone thought. He's been trying and currently struggling to live up to such high expectations. He made his England debut the following month in a World Cup qualifier and while multiple midfield options were at Gareth Southgate's disposal, Winks continued to feature in his plans before an ankle injury derailed his campaign.

Last season it was more of the same, although groin surgery saw him sidelined from March 2019 onwards. Already you can see a pattern emerging and although he's been steady, Winks hasn't kicked on in the manner many expected him to - especially after that evening at the Bernabeu.

Not defensively reliable enough to play in a holding role by himself, he often plays too conservatively to warrant more creative responsibility further forward - completely different to Moussa Sissoko, Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso.

His tackling is unconvincing, having already been booked on four occasions in 11 appearances (PL and UCL) this term, while averaging 0.7 key passes and dribbles per game. 1.5 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game aside, those contributions just aren't good enough. If you try comparing him to Ndombele and Sissoko for example, you'd further understand the fact he doesn't do enough to warrant such hype.

The Ndombele-Sissoko partnership was preferred to Winks in Pochettino's 4-2-3-1 on Sunday, proving he's right to be wary, with competition for places fierce as Spurs look to arrest such frustrating form. Winks must do more, or face an extended spell out-of-favour - especially with Lo Celso's return from injury and Eric Dier eager for more minutes.

#1 Christian Eriksen

Wantaway midfielder Eriksen is struggling for motivation this term

Rightly held to a higher standard, it's fair to say Christian Eriksen hasn't got going yet this season. One of Tottenham's best and most integral players, it's no coincidence his dip in form has had an adverse effect on their overall creativity levels. This summer's transfer saga didn't help matters either.

Having put himself in the shop window, the playmaker was actively angling for a big-money move, citing his desire for a fresh start as the main motivation to depart north London after six years. While Spain is believed to be his preferred destination, speculation over his future continued to spill over as the season started on August 9.

Inspired displays against Aston Villa and Arsenal were sandwiched by some underwhelming performances too - a trend that has continued over the course of the season.

It's been a sluggish start to 19/20 for Eriksen and interestingly, he looks a different player when on international duty for Denmark. That speaks volumes of the situation at hand as suspicions suggest he's mentally checked out on Tottenham despite him and his teammates insisting that's not the case. So what's wrong then?

This season, he's played in a variety of different creative roles with varying degrees of success. His best position has always been in the number ten role, operating freely and able to link midfield with attack wherever possible.

He's provided 17 key passes in 12 appearances (PL, UCL) this term - compared to seven in three games for Denmark in their UEFA Nations League fixtures. Opposition quality and differing responsibilities are among the factors but when you're isolated, playing on the left-and-right flanks, you can't affect the game in the same way.

He's played right-and-left midfield, a holding central role and further forward as the lone creative midfielder behind Harry Kane, Lucas Moura and Heung-min Son. Being such a focal point is probably keeping him in the team, because when Spurs don't have possession he's a passenger.

That much was clear against Everton where he was anonymous, despite covering more ground (13.8 km) than anyone else before being replaced. Lo Celso's return from injury and Eriksen's contract situation suggest something will change soon, although this has been a long time coming now.