Former Chelsea defender backs Dele Alli to return to his best

Former Chelsea and Wigan Athletic defender Mario Melchiot has heaped praise on Spurs midfielder Dele Alli and has backed him to find his feet once again when he gets a run of games under his belt.

Alli was considered to be one of the best young players in the world during his first couple of years at Tottenham but his form has tailed off over the last two years partly due to injury problems.

The 23-year-old has come under some criticism recently and even failed to make Gareth’s Southgate last England squad.

While the former MK Dons midfielder has made the starting line up in Tottenham’s last few games, he has looked a bit lackluster owing to his recent lack of game time.

However, Melchiot claimed that it was Alli’s self-belief that always set him apart from other players and insisted that the midfielder will get back to his best.

Melchiot told Match Analysis:” I have always been a close watcher of Dele because he has always been an exceptional player.

“The only thing I would say with Dele, especially when he came to the scene, the way he did that and the goals he scored, the guy has something in his game.

“He’s very intelligent. His fear level is incredible. If he faces a player, I always feel that he has that confidence to say ‘I’m better than you’. And I like seeing that with players. He plays like that. I want him fit.

“I want him playing a lot of games because then he gets back to his rhythm. You know those late goals that he scores, moments when the team struggles, he will come up with a goal.

“I think as long as we can get him closer to that again then we have an exciting player. I’m sure Pochettino would like the same.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I am actually quite pleased with what Alli has produced in his last few appearances as there are signs that he is getting his groove back. At his best, his movement and intelligence in the final third are fantastic assets for the team and I thus believe he should continue to play as close to Kane as possible rather than a deeper midfield role.

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