Pundit claims Spurs will find it ‘very difficult’ to let player leave if he maintains current form 

Noel Whelan has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur would not want to let Dele Alli leave in the summer should the midfielder maintain his current vein of form over the next couple of months.

Alli was reported to have come close to leaving Spurs on loan during January but his proposed move to Paris Saint-Germain fell through in the final days of the transfer window.

Mourinho insisted after the window closed that the midfielder can be an important player for Tottenham should he return to his best form.

The Spurs boss has stayed true to his word, handing Alli regular opportunities since the England international returned from injury.

Alli has looked determined to prove a point after spending the majority of the season on the fringes of the squad.

The 24-year-old was given just his second Premier League start of the season against Fulham on Thursday and saw his attempt on goal which found the back of the net judged to be an own goal after it made contact with Tosin Adarabioyo.

Whelan stated that Alli has a lot of work ahead of him to cement himself in Mourinho’s plans but admitted that the midfielder is showing signs of improvement..

The former Coventry City forward told Football Insider: “He’s been excellent and this is the Dele Alli that we know. Assists, goals, that energy, awareness on the ball, taking the game by the scruff of the neck.

“He’s a match-winner, we know that, he’s a game-changer but it’s the first time we’ve seen it this year. There’s a long way to go before things are brushed under the carpet.

“This has got to be the start of a good run into the end of the season for Dele Alli. Then, maybe, things can be sorted out over the summertime.

“I’m sure they don’t want to sell him, but he’s not been playing at his best. He hasn’t been for a season and a half now.

“If he carries on with these performances, it’s going to be very difficult to let a player like that go. Like Gareth Bale, these are the sort of performances Jose Mourinho has been waiting for.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Although Alli seems like he is hungry to prove himself, we should not get carried away based on a couple of performances. The likes of Lamela and Lucas have also done well recently and the 24-year-old will have even more competition for his spot in the side when Lo Celso returns.

Related Topics