Dele Alli has firmly established himself as one of the hottest young prospects in world football. At twenty-one years of age, the Englishman already has two PFA Young Player of the Year awards and is widely considered one of Tottenham’s and England’s most prized assets.
The youngster starting off his career at League One side MK Dons. He made a name for himself as a central midfielder and then cemented his place in the heart of the Spurs midfield following his move to North London. After an excellent goalscoring spell, he was moved further up the park and played as a second striker. The 2017/18 season has seen Alli’s performances fluctuate so far and many are beginning to wonder if he should be moved back into midfield.
Where is Best to Play Dele Alli?
Dele Alli: More Than a Goalscorer
Alli made his name as a goalscoring midfielder at MK Dons. These early performances drew comparisons with the likes of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. One criticism often directed at Dele Alli is that he ‘only scores goals’.
When Alli is played further up the park, he has fewer opportunities to display his passing ability. During Alli’s breakout year at Tottenham, he recorded nine Premier League assists and created 55 chances. The following season Alli recorded seven assists and created 51 chances, however, he played four more games that season and it was the year Mauricio Pochettino began to regularly deploy him as a second striker. After eleven games this season Alli only has one assist and has only created 19 chances so far in the Premier League.
Midfield Attributes
Standing at over six foot, Alli is an imposing figure. He has great athleticism and is an aggressive competitor, which is also considered one of his downfalls. The ability to tackle a striker outside his own box and then run the length of the pitch to finish off the resulting attack is rare in the modern game but Alli is one of the few to possess this ability.
Alli has all the attributes to be one of, if not the best, box-to-box midfielders in world football. Alli only being viewed as a goal scoring outlet is a waste of his talents and although when on form there are few better attackers in world football, his form in that position is more prone to fluctuations compared to his natural position at the centre of the park.
Midfield Maestro
Alli’s best performance of the season so far was in the 4-1 victory over Liverpool. It was the first occasion this season the youngster was played at the heart of midfield. The combative, all-action display was topped off with a fine volley to make the score 3-1 and effectively end the game as a competition.
Alli’s other stand out performances have come against Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid in the Champions League. In these games Alli was also given increased midfield responsibilities and on both occasions he shined. He scored twice against Real Madrid and set up both goals in the victory over Dortmund.
Tottenham’s Lack of Creativity
Tottenham appear to be in the market for a creative midfielder. Reported interest in Ross Barkley, Leon Goretzka and Max Meyer gives an insight into the clubs transfer policy of late.
Tottenham only really have one natural central midfielder who can be classified as a creator in Harry Winks. Christian Eriksen sometimes tries to fill in that role but lacks the defensive discipline to play there permanently. Dele Alli could solve these issues for Pochettino if he places trust in him. This could lead to more performances like the ones against Madrid and Liverpool.
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