Dele Alli continues his rise to stardom / Image via sport.bt.com
Nation’s Pride
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino labelled Dele Alli “the most important player to emerge in English football in recent years” and the Spurs boss could not be closer to truth.
England has endured some rather difficult times at the international level and gone through great struggles that came as huge contrast with emerging quality, marketing power and excitement surrounding the Premier League.
One of the two oldest national teams in football alongside Scotland, the Three Lions have been without a major international recognition since 1966 and their FIFA World Cup success. A place in the 1990 semi-finals and another one only at the European level six years later were the only two notable results in England’s recent history.
Fair amount of excitement surrounded Roy Hodgson’s England in the summer of 2016 when England fought their way to Euro 2016 with impressive showings in the qualifiers. But as always, fans’ expectations came crushing down as England got eliminated in the Round of 16 at the hands of tournament debutants Iceland.
Hodgson left – Big Sam arrived and added fuel to bursting fire with his scandalous behavior – ultimately leaving Gareth Southgate with great pressure on his young shoulders.
Former midfielder is set to ring many changes to his England squad and there is no doubt that Tottenham hot-shot Dele Alli will play an improved role in Southgate’s team.
The Three Lions manager must have been impressed with what he saw from the Spurs star on Wednesday night, when Dele Alli singlehandedly dispatched Premier League leaders Chelsea with his two headers in each half of the game.
Rise to Prominence
The emerging 20-year-old scored 10 goals for Spurs last season, but he levelled the tally against Chelsea last night and look well on track to extend his goalscoring records.
Alli’s impressive performance against Antonio Conte’s men came as a result of Pochettino’s tactical brilliance as the Argentine’s decision to switch to back three allowed Kyle Walker and Danny Rose to push forward and help Dele Alli get closer to goal.
England youngster used his imposing areal ability to flourish while playing as a secondary striker behind Harry Kane. Victor Moses and Cesar Azpilicueta failed in their attempts to contain the 20-year-old, who solved the game with two brilliant goals.
Having joined Spurs less than two years ago, Dele Alli is making huge progress from a League One talent to world-class prospect, emerging on the scene in just 20 months’ time.
Dele Alli reached the 20-goal Premier league tally quicker than the likes of Scholes, Beckham, Lampard and Gerrrard and if we are to draw any conclusions from this statistical detail, Tottenham have a legend material amidst their ranks.
Alli’s rapid progress from Milton Keynes Dons in League One to the brightest star in the Premier League was nothing short of impressive and could be indicative for England football in general.
Scoring is not all that Alli does, other numbers are here to support the claim of him becoming one of world’s – not only England’s – brightest stars. In addition to seven goals in last four appearances for Tottenham which helped him equal his last season’s tally of 10 EPL goals, Dele Alli has assisted another 10 goals in his 52 top flight appearances since 2015.
Future Leader
Alli’s effortless style of play and his infatuating enthusiasm can make us forget this is a boy of 20 years of age we are talking about, a young football player thriving among players 10 years his senior.
Future is bright for the lad who is bound to continue with his impressive showings in the FA Cup as well. Tottenham are set to host Aston Villa in the third round of the competition on Sunday and Alli can be found at 6/4 betting odds to score anytime in the game.
Future is bright for the English football as well, despite the long-standings struggles.
Dele Alli is leading a new wave of players such as Liverpool’s Adam Lallana, Spurs teammates Eric Dier and Harry Kane, Manchester United starlet Marcus Rashford, City defender John Stones – players who could finally put an end to England’s international wait.
Huge potential is there, undeniable quality as well, which leads us to a conclusion that managerial aspect could play a crucial role in future successes of the English national team.
But that – my friends – is a completely different issue.
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