Unwanted Dele Alli defended by favourite coach: he’s still young, definitely has the mentality

One of England’s greatest talents of the last decade is struggling at an ideal age. At 27, Dele Alli is looking for a club to give him the minutes he needs. His favourite coach Mauricio Pochettino spoke about him at a press conference.

Dele Alli first looked at the top stage in the 2015/16 season. Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino gave him a chance and he certainly didn’t regret it. The English midfielder struck ten times through all competitions and assisted 11 goals.

With a terrific first season in the Premier League, Alli claimed a nomination to the national team for the summer Euros in France. As for the club, Alli kept Tottenham in the title race, a definite chance to catch Leicester lost two rounds before the end.

A one-season star he certainly wasn’t, but the truth is that Alli only thrived under Pochettino. In total, he appeared in 194 games under the Argentine coach with a record of 55 goals and 52 assists.

However, since the end of Pochettino’s time at the club, Alli hasn’t made a proper impact. Neither did Everton, where he transferred to in January 2022. In six months in a Toffees jersey, he has only featured in 13 games under Frank Lampard.

“I believe I will have time to call him and see him because he is a good lad and I want to speak to him. I want to help him and understand what’s going on. He’s still young, for sure he has the mentality,” Pochettino told a news conference.

Alli spent last season on loan at Besiktas Istanbul, but even there he did not return to his old performances. He played in only 15 games, scoring three goals. He is now returning to Everton, where his contract expires next summer.

But it is impossible to say that he would ask for a place in the squad. In the Premier League for the last few years he has looked like he doesn’t enjoy football and even from Turkey there are no positive references for him. However, Karl Robinson, the first coach of Alli’s professional career, does not admit his disinterest in the sport.

“If he loves the game? Of course, he told me. He’s hungry to get back to the top, where he played at his best. I’ve known him since he was 13 and I know he loves football. I have always told my players that I will be there for them when they need me,” Robinson, then MK Dons coach, told the TalkSport website.

Source: TalkSport