Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle has claimed that he would ask Dele Alli what he thinks his best asset is as a midfielder in an effort to get him firing again.
The 25-year-old has undergone lengthy periods of stunted progression in recent seasons, and has looked a shadow of the individual who claimed a pair of PFA Young Player of the Season awards in his first two Premier League campaigns.
Despite cementing a spot in the Spurs fold in the first six games of the season under Nuno Espirito Santo, Alli has since slipped out of contention down the pecking order and faces the challenge of earning the trust of new manager Antonio Conte.
All things point in the direction that Alli’s stint in North London has turned stale and a change could soon be in the offing, however former Spurs man Hoddle is yet to give up on the midfielder.
He gave his verdict on how to get him firing and back to the form of his early days at the club.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Hoddle said: “Well, I would ask him what his best asset is as a midfield player. So, I would like him to give me the answer.
“If he didn’t, then I would like to explain to him what I think it is. I am pretty sure he would say, ’Well, I am a goalscoring midfield player’. That’s what I would want him to say.
“That’s when he was at his very best. He would pick off where Harry Kane would make runs and he would get into areas inside the box.
“Dele Alli isn’t somebody who can play deeper for me and you can play through him. He has to keep the ball better. But his major asset for me is getting into the box.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Alli has been given a handful of chances to prove himself under different managers, not so much under Conte yet, but he hasn’t really taken them. You have to wonder if his time at Spurs is approaching the end and whether he has run his course.
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