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Harambee Stars skipper and Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama was on Wednesday named the English Premier League (EPL) African Player.
Wanyama has been a consistent and reliable figure at the heart of the Tottenham’s defence, helping the North London side to their current third place position, ten points behind table toppers Chelsea.
Tottenham’s manager Mauricio Pochettino has hailed the Wanyama and Mousa Dembele's central midfield partnership as key to Spurs’ performance this season.
Good balance
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While Pochettino's attack and defence are expected to have their praises sung following another impressive performance the Argentine coach has acknowledged Wanyama and Dembele were central to his side's success.
"Always they provide very good balance to the team - in possession and out of possession," Pochettino insisted.
Wanyama is the only player to feature in all of Tottenham's Premier League games this season and continues to go from strength to strength, with few able to match his physicality.
Best defence
The club remained unbeaten in the league in the month of January and boasts the best defensive record in England's top tier this term, having conceded just 16 goals in 24 top-flight fixtures.
Tottenham’s full-back Danny Rose on Wednesday revealed Wanyama was Tottenham’s toughest player according to him.
“I’ve run into him a couple of times in training and I’ve come out winded,” he told Soccer AM. “Yeah, he’s hard as nails.”
Club legend Ledley King has described Wanyama as a "calming influence" on Pochettino's team.
King has been very impressed with the speed of Wanyama's impact, having previously played under Pochettino on the South Coast.
"In his first season here Victor has been one of our best players and already a fans’ favourite," King told Tottenham's official website.
"He played under the manager at Southampton and Mauricio knew what he could do, knew his capabilities and knew what he was bringing to the club.He’s been great. He’s so strong, wins the ball back, he can play and is a calming influence on the team as well," King said.
Fans voted on various media platforms for their favourite candidate for the award.