Dele Alli - Player watch

[BringBack_leGin]

Looking at England tonight, I don't think it's a sure thing that Dele makes the world cup squad. At least based on form this year. I think the likes of Lingard and Sterling, even Lallana might have more of a shout. If England plan to play 3 at the back, I think that might put his place in jeopardy, unless Southgate considers him more as a midfielder. I just get the feeling watching the England team over their last two friendlies, that it might not be totally locked down for him at this stage.

I do wonder, if in the long term, Dele might be a better fit in midfield, as opposed to playing further upfield. The fact is, his touch isn't up to par, compared to some of his peers. But I do think his strengths are in stamina, great runs into the box, a good eye for a pass, etc. Given that I think midfield is probably England's weakest area going into the World Cup, it might not be the worst of ideas.

I’ve thought for a while Dele could do a job in central midfield. I actually really want us to try a midfield three with Dier/ Wanyama anchoring and then Eriksen and Dele in front, it would allow us to manage Dembele’s fitness too, while I suspect Winks would look far better in a three man midfield. Dele has the energy and stamina to play box to box, Eriksen could effectively float wherever he chooses and Dier/ Wanyama would have less pressure to do anything but the simple. Sadly Pochettino doesn’t seem to fancy it.

Dier/ Wanyama
Eriksen/ Winks Dele/ Dembele​

I also think it would make the best use of our various wide options as Son, Lamela, Moura and Sissoko would all benefit from having more space to attack. Only player who might have a bit more adapting to do is Harry, who would probably be less involved overall as he’d need to play against the centre backs more instead of dropping off as much as he currently does.

 

[SpartanSpur]

I’ve thought for a while Dele could do a job in central midfield. I actually really want us to try a midfield three with Dier/ Wanyama anchoring and then Eriksen and Dele in front, it would allow us to manage Dembele’s fitness too, while I suspect Winks would look far better in a three man midfield. Dele has the energy and stamina to play box to box, Eriksen could effectively float wherever he chooses and Dier/ Wanyama would have less pressure to do anything but the simple. Sadly Pochettino doesn’t seem to fancy it.

Dier/ Wanyama
Eriksen/ Winks Dele/ Dembele​

I also think it would make the best use of our various wide options as Son, Lamela, Moura and Sissoko would all benefit from having more space to attack. Only player who might have a bit more adapting to do is Harry, who would probably be less involved overall as he’d need to play against the centre backs more instead of dropping off as much as he currently does.

We used this quite well with a back 3 around the Liverpool/Madrid/Dortmund spell. Sometimes with Winks as the DM as we were hit for injuries. It certainly has more merit with Lamela returning and Moura and Son being good wing options.

Eriksen and Dele for the lesser games, and Dembele coming in for the harder games with Dele going into an advanced role supporting Kane.

Anyway I'm hopeful Dele comes back from this international break motivated to get back in the England side (assuming Southgate didnt assure him of his place this week despite dropping him). Dele has been good since Xmas but if we can get a bit more in the run in that'd be perfect for Spurs and England.

 

[spursfan77]

Dele is 100% making the world cup squad, it's whether he starts or not is the question. Personally I think he should start because him and Kane have an understanding which will only benefit England.

Yep and I think southgate sees the same.

Apparently he didn’t feature today because he hasn’t been able to finish training this week. I’m assuming as he’s at hotspur way with England we’ve been keeping an eye on him else he’d of come out the squad. Not ideal news if he’s mussing for Sunday because of it.

 

[Spurs 1961]

Southgate said he hasnt trained all week. Obviously bit of a knock and not risked.

I think he said he has not been able to train fully. So I am glad he was left out and has the chance of recovering for the game on Sunday. Dele has played often for England in real matches - as opposed to training friendly matches - so Southgate knows what he can do; even more he knows how Kane and Ali link effectively together.

 

[SpursSince1980]

How can Lallana be a head of Ali, his barely played he has more GBH claims than goals this year!

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Did i say he was ahead of him? Read my post again, and you will see that i positioned it as a hypothetical. As the basic truth is, he hasn't been consistently in form this season. Hence, why i was simply pondering out loud a "what if" scenario.

 

[rocklink]

Lingard > dele

 

[ClintEastwould]

Lingard > dele

Lingard has had one good season. He is 24/25. Alli has had three straight with the fourth (this season) up for debate. Alli is 21. They are incomparable, besides Jesse looking like Dele's annoying younger brother despite being 3 years older.

 

[Wsussexspur]

Cannot believe Southgate called Alli up and then kept him in the squad when he knew had an injury and wasn’t able to complete training! Surely giving him a couple of weeks rest and to spend with our medical team would have been better rather than have him part completing training and playing 15 minutes or so for two pointless friendlies! Another example of our players being misused by England couldn’t imagine this happening to Man Utd players!

http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/03/2...ves-tottenham-concerned-confirms-dele-alli-h/

 

[Bulletspur]

Southgate said he hasnt trained all week. Obviously bit of a knock and not risked.

So why didn't he send him back to the club ala Wilshere

 

[BringBack_leGin]

So why didn't he send him back to the club ala Wilshere

Little point, was pretty much with us anyway as they were training at Hotspur way.

 

[Spurslove]

I'm not sure where I get the idea from, but I kind of think it's our job to support him. The fans at the Bournemouth game did that, and I salute them for it. You might feel that you can't condone his cheating when that happens but will support him the rest of the time, which I guess I can understand.

Even though I think that is ignoring the fact that other players, England players, that are just as guilty of diving and cheating don't receive the same treatment. Largely never have if you think about it, remember Michael Owen's dive against Argentina? Ah, but that was okay because they'd cheated against us in the past. That was fair cheating. I suppose Dele Alli might be a victim of the fact that he's a more combative personality, more unusual, and less willing to toe the media line as the likes of Owen, Gerrard, Shearer etc. It could be that he seeks the spotlight and is therefore more likely to be burned by it. Or it could be something more sinister and disgusting, even if it is unconscious on the part of the press.

Of course, you might feel that because he cheated once you can't defend him now and that all the abuse he is receiving is "self-inflicted". But if you're going to take that road then you should also apply it to the rest of the squad. Those attacking players of ours that may have exaggerated contact in the past. And let us not forget the defenders and midfielders who have made tactical, professional or otherwise deliberate fouls. That is cheating too. Cheating to gain an advantage, just like diving. In that scenario you're going to quickly run out of players that you can get behind, and will be forced to sit there on a match day chanting "Hugo, Hugo, Hugo" over and over again.

I think until we can all accept that cheating is now very much a part of our game and move on, we're all going to have problems with certain players (unfortunately, one of our own too which I find unacceptable).

ALL players cheat and unfortunately the refs don't help. They have over the years, almost completely removed physical contact from the game, so it's easy for players these days to fall over when they want a free kick (and especially when they run into the penalty box, obviously).

I'm afraid refs have really lost the plot when it comes to punishing defenders for wrestling opposing players inside the penalty box at set pieces. I always ask myself if these blatant fouls would be punished with a free kick if the same offence was committed outside the box, and 99 times out of every 100, my answer to myself is 'yes, absolutely'.

So ALL players cheat and try to con the ref. I just think it's a shame that some of our own supporters single out one of our own, and ignore blatant and persistent cheats from other teams.

`

 

[swarvsta]

I’d bet my house that Dele will start at the WC.

His understanding with Kane is priceless at international level.

 

[cider spurs]

I’d bet my house that Dele will start at the WC.

His understanding with Kane is priceless at international level.

You're on. Your house...my 10p. Winner take's all.

 

[nailsy]

Cannot believe Southgate called Alli up and then kept him in the squad when he knew had an injury and wasn’t able to complete training! Surely giving him a couple of weeks rest and to spend with our medical team would have been better rather than have him part completing training and playing 15 minutes or so for two pointless friendlies! Another example of our players being misused by England couldn’t imagine this happening to Man Utd players!

http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/03/2...ves-tottenham-concerned-confirms-dele-alli-h/

Southgate seems quite reasonable, he's probably spoken to the club and agreed what he can and can't do while on England duty. Even if he can't play it would still be beneficial to have him on England duty so that he can pick up some of the tactical info that the coaching staff are trying to get across.

 

[shelflife_73]

Southgate seems quite reasonable, he's probably spoken to the club and agreed what he can and can't do while on England duty. Even if he can't play it would still be beneficial to have him on England duty so that he can pick up some of the tactical info that the coaching staff are trying to get across.

Agreed, plus time getting to know potential team mates, personally and learning how they play, won't have been wasted.

Different for Wishere though. He's probably not making the squad, so no point him hanging round. And everyone already knows he's a dick.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

The doubts over Dele starting at the World Cup are nuts. Top assisting English player this season and 3rd overall in the division. Yes, he provides for Kane, but so what? Sterling provides for Aguero and has two fewer. Lingard, who everyone is wetting themselves over, plays with £90m worth of Lukaku and has 5 fewer. Plus, Kane’s starting at this World Cup, surely the man who’s assisted him so much is a surefire starter. For the same reason, Albrighton should be on the plane as he has 7 assists for a shit team and his main beneficiary is Vardy, who will be going.

 

[John48]

Poch has suggested for awhile Dele has had a little knock that they're managing, so maybe Southgate has brought in to this view & didn't want to take any unnecessary risks with him.

 

[tototoner]

Would prefer if neither Dele or Kane went to Russia at all as they will be the scapegoat's when England embarrassingly limp out again, now that Rooney retired.

They both will though, and they'll both start.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

So why didn't he send him back to the club ala Wilshere

England spent the last half of the break at Spurs training ground - I imagine we had an eye on Dele the entire time. Does not sound like he was over-taxed in the training sessions...

 

[yankspurs]

Of course Dele’s hurt now. Why would we get through an int’l break unscathed when we already have Kane out?