Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent does not expect Dele Alli to return to the starting eleven to face West Ham United this evening.
Bent instead expects head coach Jose Mourinho to use Alli as a substitute following his return to the squad after serving his one-match suspension.
Spurs returned to Premier League action on Friday in a 1-1 draw against their Champions League qualification rivals Manchester United (BBC).
“It’s going to be an interesting one because I think he might go with the same team,” Bent told Football Insider.
“I think Bergwijn, he’s going to play after his goal and his performance, Harry Kane, he’s not going to drop him, Son, you’re not going to drop him, so the next one is Lamela.
Alli was suspended by the Football Association after posting an offensive video on social media relating the coronavirus outbreak in February.
In the video, he could be seen joking about coronavirus while wearing a mask and appeared to mock an Asian man (Mirror).
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“You’d have to say Lamela played really, really well and to be fair, Lo Celso didn’t even start. I think Lamela might have to wait and wait.
“I think it would be a little bit unfair if Lamela was to come out. Every player deserves a fair crack and Lamela hasn’t at times hasn’t covered himself in glory which is why he hasn’t been a regular but when he does play well, I think he’s earned the right to get another go.”
Spurs go into the West Ham game still four points behind Manchester United, but are now nine points behind Chelsea who occupy fourth spot following their win against Aston Villa.
The game from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium kicks off at 8:15pm (BST) and is live on Sky Sports.
Spurs Web Opinion
I also do not see Dele dropping straight back into the starting XI. However, I do see Lo Celso starting if he is confirmed 100% fit. In the final 20 minutes of the game on Friday in which Lo Celso featured, it was clear he is a player who should be starting for Spurs.
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