After both players have excelled on loan, should Dele Alli and Alex Pritchard start for Spurs next season? Alli has scored fifteen goals and set up five others in his 34 appearances for Milton Keynes Dons in League 1, whilst Pritchard has scored ten goals and set up seven in his 42 appearances for Brentford in the Championship. However, can they cut it in the Premier League?
Alex Pritchard has the ability to. His performances have been both exciting and vital from a Brentford perspective, forming a pivotal role in the team. This is demonstrated from a whopping 98 key passes, which in comparison to Christian Eriksen’s total of 69 key passes suggests he is a far superior player. But, these are only statistics from two completely different English Football Leagues. Instead of playing against some of Europe’s top elite clubs, Pritchard is playing against the likes of Jeffrey Rentmeister and Nile Ranger. Not exactly world class opposition. There is a significant step up between the Championship and Premier League, but Pritchard still may be capable. Mauricio Pochettino will undoubtedly test him in the already extensive list of pre-season friendlies to come. That is the only way of truly evaluating his quality—watching him play. There are lies, damned lies and statistics. Spurs mustn’t throw him into the lion’s den off the back of a good season in the Championship.
The other sparkling talent is in the form of Dele Alli. He is two years younger than Pritchard, but only playing one league lower than him. Alli too has been a key player for MK Dons in his 83 appearances for them since his first team debut. Already he has shown himself capable of scoring goals and also assisting them. His pace and skill form two of his greatest attributes. The fact that Spurs snapped him up for a rumoured £5m when he was just eighteen highlights the promise of this young man. However, he may not be ready for the Premier League just yet. Spurs would be best served to perhaps loan him out to the Championship in order for him to gain the most experience. Is Alli going to displace any first teamer for Spurs? No. Not yet anyway. Time is of the essence, but Alli has plenty of years to succeed in that famous Lilywhite shirt.
With the return of these two young stars, Spurs will have an even younger and more promising squad for the future. However, is this necessary? There is already plenty of youth and the further addition of younger players could compromise the collective progress of the club. But, this is where the loan system comes into action, taking the strain off Pochettino to be investing in these younger players. There must be a balance between young and old, and Pochettino would be best served to appreciate this.
The future seems bright for Tottenham Hotspur, who continue to develop young stars of the future. Alli and Pritchard are just the latest two examples of the excellent youth facilities at the club. But, until they wear that Lilywhite shirt and excel in it, they are no more important than any other Spurs player.
