Will Tottenham Hotspur be able to hang on to Dele Alli?
With their hammering of West Brom, Tottenham prove they are the in-form team in the Premier League and have now won six games on the bounce since their defeat to Manchester United in December. And who’s played a key role in that form? No, it’s not Harry Kane – although he probably has – but midfielder Dele Alli has been invaluable.
Alli has ten league goals to his name already this season, in 20 appearances, the 20-year-old has already equalled his tally for last season and with seven goals in his last five games, it doesn’t look like he’ll be slowing any time soon. Not only is Alli scoring, but he’s also helping his teammates reap the goods.
Some of Alli’s control and skill on the ball is a joy to watch, his scooped pass for Kane’s third against West Brom is a prime example. It’s no surprise that manager Mauricio Pochettino has told the midfielder to persist with his mischievous style, the Argentine, who is also receiving rave reviews as of late, has insisted that Alli’s “naughtiness” is what makes him such a joy in front of goal.
You never see the midfielder on his last legs, Alli simply eases through matched and his influence on the game is far beyond his years. Spurs were dross against Championship side Aston Villa in their FA Cup tie and it’s only when Alli was introduced did Spurs start to take control of the game, he was instrumental to the win.
With Alli’s great form also comes some worrying news for Spurs, the midfielder is being linked with a £70million move to Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea. Fending off rivals Chelsea may not be too hard but Barcelona and Real Madrid are going to turn anyone’s head. Will Spurs really be able to hold on? The club have no reason to sell, and even more so with their move into their new 61,000 capacity stadium that will hamper their transfer budget for some time.
Alli could be part of something special at Spurs, the club have been making noise for the past few years and it’s about time they started to win things. The midfielder could be pivotal to them finally being victors, they narrowly missed out on the league last season and are very much part of the title race this season.
Alli is certainly thriving under Pochettino and owes a lot to his manager, as well as teammate Harry Kane, Alli is thriving under playing off him, the same position that Steven Gerrard played under Rafa Benitiez. Gerrard is said to be Alli’s idol, however, the 20-year-old will be hoping he does not repeat Gerrard’s mistake of retiring from the playing game without a Premier League’s medal.
You can’t blame the midfielder for wanting to leave if Real and Barca do come a’knockin, they’re undeniably the two greatest sides in the world and he could play alongside some of the elite players of the game. If Alli does remain at Spurs he could write himself into Spurs folklore and that’s something the midfielder will be well aware of. Though, the temptation of winning leagues and playing in Champions League finals regularly may something that is just too much for the midfielder to resist.
