Dele Alli replies to Jose Mourinho’s blunt criticism of him

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli has responded to criticism from Jose Mourinho.

Footage from the upcoming All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur docuseries features the Portuguese leaving the England international knowing exactly what he thinks of him.

The first three episodes have been shown to journalists where Mourinho accuses Dele of not pulling his weight every day in training.

Mourinho labels his player as being lazy on more than one occasion before seeking the advice of his backroom staff on the best way of how they can motivate him to improve.

In a one on one conversation, Mourinho also labels Dele as a party boy when discussing his career and questioning the 24-year-old’s lifestyle.

When posed the question about his manager’s blunt assessment, claims that he has taken the advice in a positive manner.

In an Amazon Q&A at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last night, Dele said (as quoted by Football.London): “Of course when someone like Mourinho speaks to you, you listen every time,” he said. “It was one of those moments, our first real conversation, where it was just us two in the office.

“At the time you don’t think about cameras even though they are there. It was the first discussion we had. As a player, I say young but I am not that young any more. In that situation when such a big manager comes in, the situation we were in, of course you’re waiting for the first conversation.

“Everyone was waiting to realise and try to get a little taste of what he thinks of you, what he has experienced from another club looking in and seeing you play.

“Yes it was a real conversation. It means a lot to players when you have that conversation and it is so honest. It is not just them saying what you want to hear.

“Sometimes it can be difficult to take, but you realise that it’s not a negative conversation. Like he said in some of the clips he’s saying it to help and I know that, I am not silly.

“It is something that stays with you. Watching it back I obviously remember it a lot more. By now I still remember the whole conversation. It comes from a good place. It gives you something to work towards and open your eyes a little bit.”

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