Alan Hutton insists Spurs can cope without influential midfielder

Alan Hutton believes Spurs are capable of coping without Dele Alli in their Premier League return against Manchester United this evening.

The 24-year-old will miss the visit of United after receiving a one-match ban from the FA following an offensive video released by the midfielder on Snapchat where he appeared to mock the coronavirus pandemic (THFC).

“If he hadn’t been suspended for the social media post I think he would have played but on the flip side of the coin, he’s got players back – Son, Sissoko, Bergwijn, Kane back,” said Hutton told Football Insider.

“All of a sudden it’s starting to look rosy. If this had popped up before we stopped the league and he was missing Alli, it would be a bigger factor but I think at this precise moment in time he’s got players available.”

Alli has featured heavily this season for Spurs this season, making an appearance in every Premier League game since October 2019 (Transfermarkt).

“That’s no downer on him, I think Alli definitely would have started if he was fit but I think the good thing about it is they’ve got other players who can carry the burden,” he added.

Under new boss, Jose Mourinho, Alli enjoyed a purple patch where the midfielder seemed to have regained his goalscoring form followi the Portuguese’s arrival.

Alli netted against Manchester United in the reverse fixture last December, however, Mourinho tasted his first defeat for Spurs in that game when Marcus Rashford scored twice for United to take all three points at Old Trafford (BBC).

Spurs Web Opinion

I think Hutton makes a fair point, in that we can survive without Dele Alli. However, reports claim Lo Celso is a doubt for the game with a long-term injury which would make life an awful lot harder. Without the pair, could we see Tanguy Ndombele play a little higher up?

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