Midfielder Dele Alli, the youngster Tottenham Hotspur acquired from MK Dons, has been a break out star this season. He’s one of the many reasons Spurs are having what is arguably their most exciting season since 1961. Dele Alli’s scoring strike against Crystal Palace was a goal of the year candidate.
Alli’s methods on the pitch have been described by Manager Mauricio Pochettino as “a little bit naughty” and that’s the way the boss likes it. Within reason of course.
According to a story in today’s Telegraph, the White Hart Lane boss will warn Dele Alli to curb his temper a bit in regards to the 19-year-old’s “naughty” streak.
“He’s still very young and needs to learn a lot, he came from League One,” Pochettino said.
“He’s a little bit naughty. But it’s good. I like it. I was like that. I was naughty like him. I was sent off a lot in my career. At Espanyol, in 10 years or 11 years … 13 or 14 red cards. It was a record.”
Alli could have been sent off during Spurs 1-1 draw at Fiorentina in Thursday Europa League action. He seemingly kicked an opponent. Pochettino likes that Alli is edgy and pushes the limit with his playing style because it reminds him of himself during his playing days.
“He’s calm. He played the whole second half with a yellow card. He’s clever. Like me. Always my first action was a yellow card, and then I played better, I always played better with a yellow card than without a yellow card.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
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