OPINION
Dele Alli’s performance in Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-0 win over Leicester City on Saturday was an absolute joy to watch.
When he is playing like that the 6ft 2in England international [Source: Transfermarkt] is one of the more intoxicating players to watch in the Premier League. He is a hive of creativity and he contributes in all facets of the game.
The victory for Mauricio Pochettino’s side ended up being a fairly comfortable one, and a large part of that was the stranglehold that Alli took on the match. He seemed to decide from very early on that he was going to be a key man in the game and he absolutely delivered.
The 22-year-old was constantly looking to link up play between the midfield and the attack, providing the attacking impetus with star striker Harry Kane rested on the bench.
Saturday’s game proved how important Alli is to this Spurs team, and why he is virtually undroppable for Pochettino. With Kane on the substitute’s bench it was Alli who stepped up and drove Tottenham forward against the Foxes.
With the busy Christmas period approaching it appears that the former MK Dons man is rounding into form at exactly the right time for Spurs.
He has had a few niggling injury problems this season, but he seems to have overcome them now and is firmly back to his best.
Pochettino will need him at 100% as Tottenham aim to keep pace with Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the table. Third spot in the Premier League is theirs for the taking, and Alli will be key in the team achieving another coveted top four finish.
It wouldn’t be good for Kane to play in every single game over the winter period, and so Alli will be needed to provide goals in the Three Lions captain’s absence.
He did just that on Saturday with a header that was just rewards for his efforts at the King Power Stadium. He will be looked at to provide inspiration again soon as Tottenham careen towards Christmas.