So, as many of us have said, last season was a lack lustre one where he appeared to many of us to go backwards...it seems he knows it too...
Dele Alli: I have a lot to prove this season
Tottenham star is targeting a big campaign for Spurs and England after a run of injuries, writes Paul Hirst in Shanghai
Paul Hirst
July 24 2019, 12:01am, The Times
The gym was placed at such an angle that the windows looked out on to the first-team training pitches. The theory was that those players undertaking their rehabilitation would be inspired and motivated to return to action. For Dele Alli, that gym was his second home for much of last season. The 23-year-old spent 14 weeks out of action thanks to hand, thigh and hamstring injuries. He missed 22 matches of the club’s most exciting season in a generation and it is not something he wants to repeat any time soon.
“It was the most injuries I’ve had in a season and it’s tough not just physically but mentally as well,” Alli said. “We had a great season as a team but individually I was disappointed to get the injuries. I’ve got to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
Speak to those who work with Alli at Spurs and they will tell you that the England midfielder is someone who has a positive outlook on life. That is why he was happy to give up an hour of his time to have a kickabout with 100 local schoolchildren in Shanghai yesterday despite searing temperatures.
Alli has several other reasons to be cheerful. He performed superbly in the opening match of Tottenham’s tour to Asia — a 3-2 win over Juventus on Sunday. He has a chance to improve his form, which dipped last season, and win a place in Gareth Southgate’s England team for Euro 2020. “For England, we’re heading in the right direction as well. It’s very similar to here at Tottenham,” Alli said. “There’s a massive tournament coming up and we’ve got to keep making sure we prove we deserve to be in the team.”
The good news for Alli is that Tottenham’s record signing could help him rediscover the deadly attacking form of three years ago when he scored 23 goals in all competitions.
Spurs managed to beat other clubs to the £54 million signing of Tanguy Ndombélé, the France midfielder, from Lyons, and judging by his performance in Singapore, his purchase looks a wise one. Quite often last season Alli had to play deeper, leaving the attacking to Christian Eriksen, Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura, who would play behind Harry Kane.
Ndombélé’s role will be to cover the defence, which should give Alli more chance to attack.
“He looks comfortable and he’s a great player,” Alli said. “It’s always nice to know you have people behind you and you don’t have to worry about defending.”