Dele Alli is facing a long winter out in the cold at Tottenham after getting hooked at half-time for the second time this season.
The England midfielder was among four players subbed off after 45 minutes at Royal Antwerp.
But Dele, who was also replaced at the break during the opening defeat to Everton, was making his first start for five weeks and missed his chance to impress.
Jose Mourinho claimed his “future choices are going to be very easy” after making nine changes and seeing his fringe players flop.
Dele was described by his former boss Mauricio Pochettino as the best 21-year-old in the world.
But now 24, he is now set for another long sentence on the Spurs bench – and a possible loan move in January.
TalkSPORT’s Ray Parlour said: “I don't know where he goes from here. You ask me why he hasn't been picked? That is why he hasn't been picked because he isn't performing.
“His confidence is low. I think every footballer has been through it when you are having a bad time and you have just got to keep trying in training and working hard and hopefully your form will turn around.
“It sounds like Mourinho knows his first team and the players who played last night are nowhere near that."
Dele was left out of the squad for Spurs' last Premier League game against Burnley, and it appears highly unlikely that his performance against Antwerp will do anything to convince Mourinho to include him against Brighton on Sunday.
He was linked with a loan switch to PSG during the summer but in the end nothing materialised.
If things carry on as they are doing now, however, Dele will surely be in line for a move away in January to end six-and-a-half years in north London.
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