Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Graham Roberts has agreed with comments regarding Dele Alli’s role in the team, claiming he should be reverted to his old position.
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has elected to deploy the 25-year-old in a deeper position in midfield, as part of a trio in front of the back line.
This is a different position than Alli had previously been deployed in at Spurs, after thriving in a more attacking role behind the striker since joining the club in 2015.
He has started all six Premier League games so far this season and has achieved varying degrees of success in his new position.
The most recent showing, though, came in the dismal 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday – a game in which he was hauled off at half-time with Spurs trailing by three goals.
The performance prompted a discussion from former Premier League defenders Ledley King and Gary Neville, who believe Alli should be reinstated into his old position behind Harry Kane.
King told Sky Sports Premier League (7:23 pm, September 26, 2021): “I personally think his best role is in the number 10 where he can attack the box. We know he has great energy, an eye for goal. That’s his strength.”
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That encouraged Spurs legend Roberts to voice his own opinion and ultimately concurred with the pair’s comments, highlighting Alli’s impressive attacking statistics from seasons before.
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It is still relatively early days for Alli in his new role in Spurs’ midfield, but Nuno is currently under pressure to get the side playing again. He may need to revert to type and reinstate him in a position he is more comfortable in and actually providing an attacking impetus for the side.
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