OPINION
Tottenham fans will rejoice after manager Mauricio Pochettino said that midfielder Dele Alli should be fit for the Champions League final.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, the Argentine boss revealed that despite Alli being taken off against Everton after “feeling strange”, the English international will likely be on the plane to Madrid.
“He didn’t start in the warm-up, he was feeling strange and then his performance was very poor in the first half because he can’t cope with the situation,” Pochettino said.
“So because of caution, he was out. I think it is not a problem. We need to assess him, but I think he was tired, but for the circumstance again we played with him.”
Dele Alli hasn’t had the greatest of seasons, but there is no doubting that Spurs are better off having him in the squad and he definitely improves the team, as has been shown over the last few campaigns.
The 23-year-old has failed to score in seven Champions League appearances this season, but that competition is where three of his eight assists for the season have come.
There is also no doubting, then – based on those statistics – that Alli would have been a big miss for Spurs in Europe and he has definitely played a part in them getting past Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Ajax to reach the final.
The only other concern for Spurs fans now will be the fitness of Harry Kane, who has not featured since injuring his ankle in the quarter-final first leg against City.
There are reports that he could be back for the final, and what a boost that would be for Pochettino’s side. To have Alli and Kane – who have been unreal as an attacking pair this season – back fit for the final is huge.
Other than that, Spurs look solid heading into the final and fans will believe they have a real chance of coming out as winners against Jurgen Klopp’s men.