While Tottenham Hotspur have suffered a difficult start to the new season, the same can be said for Dele Alli.
The midfielder suffered a left hamstring injury during pre-season which was the fourth time he had encountered the issue in the past two seasons (Guardian).
Dele has since taken action to try and return to his best by hiring a nutritionist and taking up yoga to help combat his muscular problems while also reducing his involvement in off-field commercial activities (The Mirror).
Former Liverpool and England striker Stan Collymore has admitted that the 24-year-old is one of his favourite players but feels he needs a kick up the backside and needs to stop clowning around if he is to keep his place for club and country.
Dele scored his first goal since January with a late equaliser against Watford on Saturday and linked well with Harry Kane against Red Star Belgrade when operating just off the prolific marksman.
Collymore told The Mirror: “Dele Alli… it’s time to give him the kick up the backside he needs. He’s one of my favourite players when he’s on song and I do like the fact he’s a nice lad. That can only take you so far and he now has to get his head down and forget the clowning around if he doesn’t want to be overtaken at Tottenham and with England.
“If he even added one per cent of the nastiness of a Roy Keane or Graeme Souness it would be the start to him going on to fulfil a potential which could see him become the best midfielder of his type in Europe.”
Opinion
With Christian Eriksen looking ever increasingly out of the picture in North London, Dele has the opportunity to stake his claim for the position and rekindle the form in his first two seasons at the club.
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