Jose Mourinho offered a diplomatic answer when asked whether he can help Dele Alli to return to his best form this week and some Spurs fans seemed to agree with this idea.
In an interview with Sky Sports (SSN 24/10/20 at 2:00 pm), Mourinho suggested that it is up to the midfielder to prove that he deserves to play in a high-quality attacking line-up.
During Mourinho’s early days at Spurs, Alli seemed to have benefited the most from the Portuguese coach’s arrival as he showed glimpses of his old self in the number ten role.
However, his form levelled off after a few months and the midfielder has struggled to get into the side this campaign after the club bought in several new additions during the transfer window.
The midfielder’s only Premier League start so far this season came in Tottenham’s opening day defeat to Everton (transfermarkt.com).
Alli has been used as a substitute on a few occasions of late and the Spurs boss insisted that he has to prove that he is at the required level to start.
Let’s take a look at how some Spurs fans reacted on Twitter:
Dele does need the kick up the tailpipe because he can do much better. He needs to up his work rate. The days of getting by with 50% performance is gone.
— Dean (@Cdj_Trading) October 24, 2020
Very talented player but there’s a lot of competition in the squad atm so if he wants to get in and stay there consistently he’s gotta get the work rate up and make the most of his opportunities when he gets them. Tanguey and lo selso perfect examples.
— Pedro (@ptypes7) October 24, 2020
Dele slows down the play too much. Always takes an extra touch too, it’s frustrating.
— Tottenham Hotspur Zealot ? (@THotspurZealot) October 24, 2020
Fair play to him, it’s all about subtle mind games I feel when he does stuff like this. It’s effectively a challenge to Dele
— James ⚜️ (@jsho13) October 24, 2020
That’s my man. The best coach in the world! Always being honest and straight. He is second to non!
— Ing. Papin GH (@IngKwofie) October 24, 2020
Yep but tanguy had a position to challenge , does dele?
— Neilo1986 (@Neilo1986) October 24, 2020
He seems very immature off the pitch. But on pitch he had that purple patch for couple years playing off Kane,had an ability to arrive in box and score, but it was 2 much hype and the player ended up believing the hype, he had that nasty side but gave it up to please the press
— Kyle Sturgeon (@NI7sto1980) October 24, 2020
He’s right
— Harry C (@HazSpur92) October 25, 2020
Dele, that’s a challenge for you.
— Laski (@fcchilaka) October 24, 2020