Report: Spurs midfielder used to beat Kyle Walker’s speed and fitness numbers

The Athletic report that Dele Alli is clocking in numbers similar to former Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker with regards to speed and fitness training. 

The 25-year-old found himself back in the fold during the season’s early proceedings under Nuno Espirito Santo, who utilised him as part of a three in midfield. 

However, he has since suffered a dip in form, which was magnified when he was hauled off at half-time in the North London Derby defeat to Arsenal, and was then an unused substitute a week later in the 2-1 win against Aston Villa. 

However, a report from The Athletic has revealed that Nuno has elected to use Alli so frequently due to his impressive fitness numbers demonstrated in training, which have been likened to former Spurs speedster Walker. 

Charlie Eccleshare wrote: ‘One thing with Dele, though, is that he is exceptionally fit and always scores extremely highly on tests for speed and endurance. I was told last year that he used to beast even Kyle Walker, and he has remained at those levels.

‘So even when he’s not at his best, Dele is someone who a manager like Nuno will want around. Can he go beyond being a valuable squad player? He certainly has the talent but in the short term, it’s hard to make the case that he should be in Spurs’ first-choice XI.’

The explosive full-back spent eight years at Spurs which eventually earned him a lucrative move to Manchester City in 2017. 

Walker has been well-known for his immense conditioning and fitness abilities, which he has demonstrated on plenty of occasions for City and on international duty with England. 

Spurs Web Opinion 

Although he hasn’t been putting up the attacking numbers we have previously seen, Alli is a hard worker, so it was clear to see why Nuno wanted him in midfield.

But sometimes just running isn’t quite enough, and while the results weren’t coming into the side’s favour, a change had to be made to get the team playing well again. 

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