UEFA have punished Dele Alli’s red-card challenge against Gent’s Brecht Dejaegere with a three-match European ban. Does this suggest Alli’s ruthless streak is out of control?
The Impact of Dele Alli’s Red Card Ban
How will Tottenham be affected by this ban? Although Mauricio Pochettino must ultimately reign him in, Alli’s temperament will not be a major issue in the long term.
Out of control?
The horrific foul against Dejaegere clearly shows that Alli was out of control, but only in that moment. Beforehand, a clear, yet unspotted, foul triggered this event. There is no defending his reaction to this event, where his complete loss of composure led him to his rightful sending off. However, the player was not premeditating this attack. Alli is not a player who plays intentionally to hurt or injure someone. Thus, whilst he may have been out of control here, he is not a reckless thug.
After the red card, his reaction in Spurs’ following games has been fantastic. He has scored a goal in each of the last three Premier League matches. This has been vital for Spurs, especially with Harry Kane’s injury. He is proving that he is able to discipline himself, but also that he is able to respond accordingly to the red card event.
Spurs’ Champions League hopes
Alli’s red card means that Spurs will, potentially, be without him for the first half of the UEFA Champions League campaign next season. Depending on qualification, this could have quite an impact. After all, Alli is a creative player, able to score goals and to cause defences havoc. Spurs will miss his style of play, and his runs in behind the opposition. Often, a long-ball from Toby Alderweireld is collected expertly by Alli, but this option may be curtailed with the former’s absence.
However, Spurs have such a depth of quality in midfield. By next season, Christian Eriksen, Erik Lamela, Heung-Min Son, Georges-Kévin N’Koudou and Harry Winks could all provide an alternative option during Alli’s suspension. Therefore, because any of these players could step up and perform in his place, it is harsh to say Spurs’ European hopes will be damaged by Alli’s red card.
Role of Pochettino
Dele Alli, only 20 years young, needs nurturing and guiding. Pochettino has an important role in achieving this. Although he has been banned for other offences retrospectively, this was only his first senior red card. Pochettino now has to carefully deal with his player to ensure that this kind of behaviour does not become a part of his game. At the same time, he must not completely reign in and control all his passion and drive. Seeing a player passionately competing in tackles is refreshing to see. But, it is not pleasing to see recklessness to an excess.
Directly after the incident, Pochettino made it clear he was supporting his player. He spoke of Alli’s sadness and disappointment of his mistake, but also of the need to correct such an error. Whilst rhetorically this sounds promising, Pochettino must be following up on his promises to prevent Alli from losing his composure again. Based on recent performances, it looks like Alli is learning from his mistake.
Verdict
Overall, there is no defending or glossing over Dele Alli’s red-card challenge. However, its impact is unlikely to be too significant in Tottenham’s European pursuits next season. The player himself must use this negative experience to improve and strengthen his mentality and decision-making for the future. Pochettino is fully supportive of his player, and thus it seems, Alli won’t be making horror tackles again anytime soon.
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