This article is part of Football FanCast's The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Spurs face Wolves this weekend in a game that has taken on huge significance, and one man will have to be stopped.

On the chalkboard

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have risen up the league in recent weeks and months and are currently sixth in the Premier League, one point and one place ahead of Jose Mourinho’s Spurs.

The game at Molineux on Sunday, then, is a big one; Wolves could propel themselves into top-four contention with a victory, while Spurs need to stay in touch with fourth-placed Chelsea, whom they are currently six points behind.

One man who will be key for Santo’s side is Joao Moutinho.

The 33-year-old has played in every single league game for Wolves thus far this season and is their creative hub.

No clues whatsoever: Which seasons do these iconic Spurs images belong to?

Thus far this season, he has scored one goal and provided four assists in the league but, more than that, he is a clever and dynamic presence in the heart of midfield.

Per WhoScored, he averages three tackles per game, 1.7 interceptions and 1.5 fouls, suggesting he is not afraid to break up the play with a tactical concession.

Offensively, he averages 1.9 key passes per game along with 1.8 crosses, 3.8 long balls and a pass completion rate of 85.2%.

If Spurs can stop him getting on the ball, and also find a way to get around him, they will stand a much better chance of picking up an important three points on Sunday.

Ageless

Moutinho’s performances belie his 33 years.

He has, thus far this season, played in every Premier League game, every Europa League game and every Europa League qualification game.

That adds up to 27 games played or over 2,200 minutes of football.

That he remains so key and so metronomic is a testament to his ability to take the game slowly and trust his reading of the game.

Spurs, famously, attempted to sign him in 2012 while Andre Villas-Boas was manager to replace Luka Modric.

The Telegraph reported at the time that Spurs had agreed a £24m fee for the player – which would have been a club-record – but that they missed out “by minutes”.

This weekend, they will have to stop the player they were so keen to sign or risk losing further ground in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

Meanwhile, one Spurs ace's deficiencies were on full show against Burnley.