Spurs legend, Glenn Hoddle claims that Dele Alli isn’t helping himself in his bid to get back into the Tottenham starting XI.
The Englishman remains on the periphery at Spurs after he lost his place in the team this season.
He isn’t one of the players that is trusted by Jose Mourinho to deliver for his team and when he has had chances, he hasn’t taken them.
He was named in the starting XI for Tottenham’s game against Royal Antwerp in the Europa League last night.
That start presented him with yet another chance to show Mourinho that he is ready for a place in the first team.
However, the largely-changed Spurs starting XI who started the game were sloppy and they allowed the Belgians to take the lead just before 30 minutes.
Mourinho didn’t enjoy what he saw and he made four substitutions at half time, Alli was one of the players that were hauled off.
Hoddle claims that the midfielder gave the ball away too many times and that poor showings like that won’t get him back in the team.
Hoddle told BT Sport via Mail Online: ‘I think it is (getting difficult for Alli). This was his opportunity and Jose put him and and said “put it (a good performance) between my eyes”. But it just didn’t happen for him.
‘In his overall game, he’s giving the ball away too much at times. His options are there and he’s trying his best but it’s not happening for him. Sloppy play is not going to get him back in the team.’
He’s a good finisher, I’ll give him that
On the ball he just can’t put a pass together, and off the ball he just looks disinterested, walking and jogging waiting for someone to pass it to him.
Gone is impetuous Dele. Gone is Dele with attitude. Gone is the Dele who pinballed all over the final third making darting runs in behind.
This isn’t José’s fault. His game was going south before José came along. I don’t know what his issues are, but I saw him handed a lifeline last night, a chance to prove his worth. What we got was zero effort, zero desire.
Alas, I agree, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if that was his last appearance.
I wonder how much he’s worth now. How much ever it is you’ve got a deal. 25% sell on clause.
Dele’s biggest problem for some time has been losing possession. His thought processes are just too slow, all that finger twiddling has worn out his brain.