I forgot about Wanyama, but that's another CM out. They started the season with Dembele, Dier, Wanyama, Winks, and Sissoko for two essentially two spots. That already wasn't good enough, but the first three are now all out injured. Dele and Eriksen can play some deeper in midfield also, but they've also been injured. So of the 7 players who could play in central midfield, five of them are not at full fitness. Yikes.
It was plain as day that Spurs needed to strengthen CM during the summer, but I didn't imagine the failure to do would have such instant karmic retribution.
I wonder if we'll see Eriksen and Dele playing some minutes in deepers role as they comes back, since Spurs are doing okay at the attacking spots right now. I'd be interested in how Eriksen/Dele do as "free 8s", sort of the way Man City use KDB and the Silvas -- a little more ball progression and defensive work, a little less chance creation/finishing. That's kind of the role Dele plays for England (although there it's with a back 3, so the midfielders have less defensive responsibility).