Former Spurs head coach Tim Sherwood has advised replacement Mauricio Pochettino to use Nabil Bentaleb as a box-to-box midfielder, despite using him in a more defensive role last term.

Sherwood, who was sacked at the end of last season, believes the Algerian international should be given a more attacking role in the midfield at White Hart Lane next season under new head coach Pochettino.

Writing in his Independent column, Sherwood said: “He is perfect for the way that Algeria play, with a pressing game.

“I tended to use him in a more defensive role, mainly because I knew I could trust him to do what I asked. But in his development at Spurs, he has always been a box-to-box midfielder and he has always scored goals in the junior age groups,” explained Sherwood.

“If Mauricio Pochettino is looking for that sort of player then Nabil is perfect. He has to play regularly though, if his development is to continue.”

Bentaleb clocked up 20 Spurs appearances in all competitions last season after being promoted to the first team by former academy technical director Sherwood.

The 19-year-old played every minute of Algeria’s World Cup campaign before being dropped to the bench for last night’s 2-1 extra-time defeat by Germany in the last 16.