On a recent episode of the Last Word On Spurs podcast, Ricky Sacks, Lee McQueen, Jamie Brown and Chris Cowlin discussed the latest goings-on at Tottenham, including the recent decision to ban Dele Alli.
It was revealed last week that the England international will face a one-match ban for a Snapchat video in which he joked about the current viral outbreak and appeared to mock an Asian man, meaning he will miss Spurs’ re-opening fixture against Manchester United this Friday night (per BBC).
Sacks introduced the show, which was titled ‘Mourinho’s Preparation‘, by prompting a discussion of the former MK Dons man, saying:
“I think there’s definitely a degree of fans out there that may have felt Alli has maybe got off slightly lucky with just the one-match ban. How have you personally seen that reaction and the ban that has been given by the FA to Dele Alli?”
Cowlin replied: “I expected a ban to come through, definitely. I think that Dele Alli’s been very lucky to only get a one-match ban. It is very disappointing that it’s for Tottenham’s huge game back against Manchester United. And to learn this just eight days before the game is a huge disappointment – it could have been done way, way before this.”
Sacks then added his own thoughts on the midfielder, saying:
“I think there’s always been that concern with Spurs fans that maybe he does lack that sign of maturity.”
TIF Thoughts…
Alli could prove to be a big miss for Mourinho ahead of Friday’s match, with the 24-year-old Spurs’ third top-scorer in the Premier League so far this season, having scored eight goals in the top-flight (per WhoScored). The former MK Dons man has now made 219 appearances for the Lilywhites in his career and has contributed an impressive 62 goals and 55 assists (per Transfermarkt).
Was Alli lucky to only get a one-match ban?
Yes
No
The Portuguese manager may well be reliant on the likes of Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso to potentially fill in for Alli ahead of Friday’s game, but with the Frenchman having notched just two goals in a Spurs shirt so far, whilst the Argentinian midfielder is yet to score or assist in the top-flight this season, it seems as if the England international could be a big miss.