Mauricio Pochettino believes Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli deserved to be on the shortlist for the PFA’s Player of the Year award.
Alli has scored 16 goals already this season but was amazingly omitted from the six-man list, which included Chelsea pair N’Golo Kante, Eden Hazard, Harry Kane, Alexis Sanchez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku of Everton.
He was named on the shortlist for Young Player of the Year – an award he won last season – but Pochettino claimed Alli was unlucky not to be in contention for the top prize.
“I think he deserves it because he’s showing great performances every week and in every game,” Pochettino said.
“He’s improved a lot from last season. I think he’s a better player, he’s showing better stats and in my opinion yes, he deserves it.
“After his first season in the Premier League always the people want to see again in the second season if he can confirm all that he showed last season.
“Not only did he confirm that, he’s improved in all aspects of his game. That means he’s clever, intelligent, still with potential to improve and learn and today he’s showing that he’s one of the best players in the Premier League.”
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