{"id":578422,"date":"2021-01-11T16:45:02","date_gmt":"2021-01-11T21:45:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=578422"},"modified":"2021-01-11T16:45:02","modified_gmt":"2021-01-11T21:45:02","slug":"jose-mourinho-really-happy-dele-alli","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/01\/11\/jose-mourinho-really-happy-dele-alli\/","title":{"rendered":"Jose Mourinho \u2018Really Happy\u2019 With Dele Alli After Marine Win"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jose Mourinho has praised the efforts of Dele Alli<\/a> in Tottenham Hotspur<\/a>\u2019s 5-0 win against Marine in the FA Cup<\/a> third round. The midfielder has played a bit-part role in north London this season but was instrumental as Spurs eased the non-league club aside and into the fourth round<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mourinho has also hinted that Alli could have earned himself back a spot in his Premier League plans, amid speculation of a January exit<\/a> to Paris Saint-Germain<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jose Mourinho Pleased With Dele Alli in Marine Win<\/h2>\n

Impressing the Manager\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Alli was at the heart of everything positive for Spurs and played a key role in the north Londoners\u2019 victory in Crosby.\u00a0The 24-year-old was involved in all three of Carlos Vinicius<\/a>\u2019 goals, teeing up the Brazilian for his opening strike and playing a delightful pass to Matt Doherty<\/a> ahead of Vinicius\u2019 second.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although the quality of the opposition will have left a lot to be desired, the performance is a step in the right direction for Alli, who has clocked just 74 minutes of Premier League<\/a> action this season.<\/p>\n

Mourinho was quick to praise the midfielder’s showing, who seemingly delivered on his return to the Spurs starting lineup.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am really happy with his [Dele Alli\u2019s] attitude in the game, of course we didn\u2019t want to risk much,\u201d Mourinho said after the game (via the Daily Mail<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pitch is a bit dangerous and their enthusiasm can put the creative ones in some risk.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut I am happy \u2013 good professionalism, good dynamic from him and Gedson [Fernandes] to start trying to create, so really pleased for the performance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Playing His Way Into Contention\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Alli has featured in just four Premier League games this season, with his only start coming in Spurs\u2019 opening day defeat to Everton<\/a>. The midfielder has since slipped down the club\u2019s pecking order and has been restricted to just eight minutes of league action since October<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But after being handed a rare start against Marine, Alli took his chance to prove his value to Mourinho and could make a return into the Portuguese\u2019s plans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201dHe was here today and of course it was not the match to measure the quality,\u201d Mourinho added. \u201cBut the professionalism and attitude, and I am very happy with it.<\/p>\n

“I will not be surprised if next Wednesday, Dele is playing with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spurs will host Fulham<\/a> this week after an emergency reshuffle of fixtures by the Premier League<\/a>. Mourinho\u2019s side were due to face Aston Villa<\/a> on Wednesday, but an outbreak of COVID-19<\/a> in Dean Smith\u2019s camp forced the game to be postponed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>