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Tottenham’s Dele Alli named PFA Young Player of the Year

By Gary Pearson

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur looks dejected during The Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on April 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur looks dejected during The Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on April 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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Dele Alli, during an evening of excessive pomp and pageantry, was named the PFA Young Player of the Year for the second season running, by far the best moment of Sunday’s 2017 PFA  Awards Night.

No candidate was more deserving than Dele, whose Spurs’ contributions in the current campaign should have also landed him a Player of the Year nomination. It’s a consolation he should still be extremely proud of.

The 21-year-old Dele, who has scored 16 goals and added five assists in 31 appearances this season, was the odds-on favourite to capture his second honour in as many years.

Alli has contributed to 40 top-flight goals in 63 appearances since his Spurs début last season, equalling the total contribution of Frank Lampard (15), Steven Gerrard (13) and David Beckham (12) at the same early stage of their careers.

Spurs, who score a goal every 42 minutes with Dele on the pitch, miss the midfielder’s presence dearly when he’s not in the lineup. Devoid of Dele, Tottenham manage a goal every 83 minutes, underpinning his influence.

He was also named Player of the Month in January. It was during that stretch when Dele scored two goals in three consecutive Premier League games, including a brace against Chelsea in the 2-0 at White Hart Lane.

Spurs, winning 16 matches and drawing five, have never lost when their wunderkind bags a goal. Dele won his second consecutive Young Player of the Year award, taking the acclaim over teammate Harry Kane and other nominees Romelu Lukaku, Michael Keane, Jordan Pickford and Leroy Sane.

Next: Tottenham's Dele Alli: Premier League's most valuable midfielder

N’Golo Kante won the PFA Player of the Year award, another category that included Kane. Spurs leading goal scorer finished outside the top three of voting, but was severely hampered by two prolonged injury absences.

I’m sure Dele would have exchanged his award for a chance to play Arsenal in the FA Cup final. Nonetheless, the instrumental midfielder deserves all the plaudits he’s receiving.

And then some.

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