Gary Neville has predicted that Dele Alli will have a “sensational career” and could change his position several times before nailing a settled role.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football programme, the high-profile pundit delivered a glowing verdict on the Tottenham star, who has had an up-and-down year and only recently returned to something close to his best.
Neville said: “He’s on for a sensational career. I think you’ll see him change position two or three times. If you think about a young Roy Keane, he was a goalscoring midfield player.
“He will evolve and change. I think he could end up in central midfield. He could end being a good passer of the game. His hunger for the game is brilliant.”
OPINION
In truth, Alli has been treading water since his show-stopping display against Real Madrid at Wembley in the autumn of last year when it appeared Tottenham could name their price – and get it – for one of the world’s elite young talents. The 22-year-old has not been poor, far from it, but he has failed to consistently hit the heights since that evening, for club and country. The current campaign has been one of frustration sprinkled with occasional sparkling moments, such as that crucial first goal in the memorable win against Chelsea. A return of four goals and two assists is way down on his usual numbers, and Mauricio Pochettino has admitted the World Cup exertions have had an effect on the former MK Dons ace. Used predominantly as a central attacking midfielder at Spurs after initially breaking into the team in a deeper role, Alli has a fine record and is one of the key men in the team. But there is a sense that he has so much more to give and has more to his armoury than just making late runs into the box David Platt-style to latch on to deliveries from wide and deep.