There was a time when Rodrigo Bentancur looked like one of the finest midfielders Tottenham had signed in years. His arrival transformed the midfield and, at his best, he combined elegance, aggression and intelligence.

That player still exists in flashes. The problem for Spurs is that the flashes are becoming less frequent.

Serious injuries have interrupted Bentancur’s career at Tottenham, including the hamstring problem that required surgery in January. His return has been welcome, but the current version of the midfielder looks a step slower and less mobile than the player Spurs supporters remember.

That matters enormously in a Roberto De Zerbi side. The midfield has to move the ball quickly, cover space and react immediately when possession changes hands. Bentancur can still pass and compete, but too often he looks immobile and can be caught in the wrong position.

There is an uncomfortable selection issue here too. Bentancur has earned respect at Spurs and nobody should forget how good he was. But past performance cannot become a permanent guarantee of a starting place.

Archie Gray offers a different profile. He is younger, energetic, technically secure and capable of growing into a midfielder who can drive the team for years. Spurs should be thinking about that future rather than automatically reverting to Bentancur whenever he is available.

Gray does not have to replace Bentancur overnight. The point is that competition needs to mean something. If Gray is training well, performing well and offering more mobility, there should be no sentimental reason to leave him out.

Bentancur may also benefit from having to fight for his place. A midfielder coming back from major injury should be managed intelligently, and Spurs have enough options to avoid asking him to carry the entire midfield every week.

De Zerbi has spoken about the importance of Bentancur’s experience, but experience and automatic selection are not the same thing.

Bentancur may yet rediscover his best level. Tottenham should hope he does. But hoping for the old Bentancur and selecting him because of what he once was are two very different things.

The answer is not to write Bentancur off; it is to stop treating him as untouchable. The best version of this squad will come from merit, not reputation.