OPINION
Danny Mills suggested that Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli should be dropped for the Champions League final against Liverpool and instead potentially be used off the bench.
The former Premier League player shared that he’d leave the Spurs star, who earns £100,000-a-week (Source: Spotrac), on the bench for the clash with the Reds as he’d rather field two holding midfielders against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Mills then noted that if Kane can’t last 90 minutes, if he starts, then maybe Pochettino could look to play Alli as a false nine for a portion of the match.
“I’d actually leave out Dele Alli, I’d play Eriksen in the No.10 role as he has got to play as he is outstanding, set-pieces and all the rest of it; he makes them tick,” said Mills on talkSPORT (12:33, Tuesday May 28th).
“And then you’ve got to think we need two holding midfielders due to the pace and power we’ve seen that Liverpool may have, whether Henderson or Wijnaldum, or Firmino in there, I would play the two holders, Wanyama and Sissoko.
“Wanyama the out-and-out holder, Sissoko the box-to-box with this athleticism, but the problem is that doesn’t leave a place for Alli but if Kane isn’t quite fit, last 30 mins or an hour maybe you can play Alli up front in that false nine position.”
While Mills’ opinion about dropping Alli may raise some eyebrows as the 23-year-old registered two assists in the 3-2 win over Ajax in the semi-final, it would certainly surprise the Reds.
Klopp’s side are no doubt planning to face Alli from the start, with him playing in his usual midfield role, so they won’t be prepared if Alli is thrown on from the bench to be a false No.9.
Given that the Reds won’t be expecting it; it may be enough to catch Liverpool off-guard and steal a goal that could potentially end up seeing Spurs win the Champions League.
Also Alli may be able to make a greater impact from the bench.
The 23-year-old, who has scored seven and assisted eight this season, has look leggy, bar the second-half against Ajax, in his last few outings and it may be better that he is used against the Reds’ defence when the games has taken a toil on them.
Then there’s also the fact Mills’ suggestion would allow Spurs to start the game defensively strong with both Victor Wanyama and Moussa Sissoko on the pitch, which would protect them from an early set-back.
So with all things considered, Pochettino should heed Mills’ suggestion about Alli as it may just work in his favour against Liverpool.