Jermaine Jenas admits he is surprised by one of Tottenham’s players

Jermaine Jenas has admitted that he did not expect Dele Alli to be able to play in more of a deeper role in midfield.

Jenas who played for Tottenham between 2005 and 2013 after joining the club from Newcastle United is now known for being a regular pundit on the BBC and BT Sport.

Dele has been operating in a slightly different position in recent matches compared to his typical midfield role of playing in more of an attacking position to support Harry Kane.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has been operating a 4-3-3 formation in recent matches that have been Moussa Sissoko, Harry Winks and Dele Alli as a midfield three which worked effectively well in the 1-0 Champions League victory against Inter Milan at Wembley in midweek.

Dele

Jenas, who played as a midfielder himself during his career has been surprised by how Dele has performed as a box-to-box player this season and admitted that he was unsure if the former MK Dons man would be able to effectively perform the role.

“Mauricio has played 4-3-3 at times which has meant Sissoko has been tucked in, Dele on the other side and Harry Winks or Eric Dier holding. It gives Dele more responsibility as a midfielder which actually I didn’t think he was capable of,” Jenas told The Times.

“I didn’t think he could do it at the top level and have an impact. I thought he was more of a Frank Lampard, ‘Right I am going to get you 15 goals’, not box-to-box, tackling, clearing from defensive area.”

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