Premier League

Savage: Alli has lost his zip

|
Image for Savage: Alli has lost his zip

Robbie Savage wondered if Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli was carrying an injury after Spurs lost 1-0 to West Ham on Saturday.

A Spurs fan called into BBC 606 to highlight Alli’s performance against the Hammers and Savage seemed to be in agreement that the midfielder wasn’t at his best.

Savage wondered if Alli had an issue, but admitted he didn’t know if that was case, before claiming the Spurs player had lost “that zip” that saw him cover a lot of ground.

“I don’t know if Dele Alli is carrying an injury but I think…I think he has lost that zip in the way he covers the ground,” said Savage on BBC Radio 5 Live (Saturday April 27th, 18:12)

“I mean when you play him in midfield he does time his run superbly into the box…”

OPINION

Alli wasn’t ever the speediest of players, so it’s odd to hear Savage say the playmaker had any form of zip. The 23-year-old is able to glide into spaces and occasionally burst into the box, but that’s about it. Yet even with that in mind, Alli did look capable of running for his side against West Ham if that was what was required. The midfielder may not have been at his best against the Hammers, but it was due to him not being 100%. With Spurs having so many games this season and not a tremendously large squad, everyone also seems quick to suggest a member of Pochettino side is injured or tired, rather than just point out they had a bad day at the office. Alli will no doubt silence any doubts or concerns about him on Tuesday as the clash with Ajax is the perfect stage for him to reassure everyone that he has plenty left in the tank.

Share this article