Tottenham player review: Dele Alli

The 2016-17 campaign was a season Dele Alli will be remembered for elevating his game to an elite level, in the process becoming one of the hottest commodities in world football. 

Alli’s 2016-17 coming out party

The 21-year-old enjoyed a breakout season, scoring 18 Premier League goals while chipping in with seven assists. The most prodigious part of the season came during the Christmas period, when Alli scored seven goals in four games, a stretch involving three consecutive two-goal games.

I’m sure you’ll recall the most memorable of that stint, a contest against Chelsea in which Alli scored both Spurs goals in a 2-0 triumph at the Lane against the eventual Premier League champions.

The attacking midfielder consistently showed poise and composure well beyond his impressionable age last season. A one-trick pony he is not, as Alli scored four with his noggin, five with his left boot and nine with his favoured right.

He has an innate understanding with Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-Min, the quartet combining for 69 Premier League goals.

Only two seasons into what will hopefully be a long Spurs career, Alli is already being compared to Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes, three of England’s most prolific scoring midfielders. Alli contributed on 40 goals in his first 63 appearances, equal to the combined totals of Lampard (15), Beckham (12) and Gerrard (13) at the same early stage of their respective careers.

Alli also reached the 20-goal milestone in 52 games, once again substantially quicker than his predecessors.

The highest scoring midfielder in the Premier League during the 2016-17 season, Alli was named the PFA Young Player of the Year for a second straight year. And it wasn’t just the number of goals that impressed supporters and pundits. He scored at pivotal times in crucial matches throughout the season, ensuring Spurs would push Chelsea to the brink.

You’d expect, by the sheer number of goals he scores, that Alli would taste defeat a few times after bagging one or two. But that’s not the case. Spurs, winning 18 and drawing five, have never lost a game in which Alli scores. His goals carry more weight than most, all but guaranteeing Tottenham will walk away with at least a share of the spoils when he Alli gets on the score sheet.

Unavoidable teething pains

Growing pains are part and parcel with a young player’s progression. And even the great Alli isn’t immune to enduring teething problems. According to the official Premier League site, Alli spurned 11 golden scoring opportunities. He also endured a nightmare against Gent in the Europa League, which saw the midfielder sent off for a reckless challenge.

These slight blips were part of an otherwise sensational season for the wunderkind, and are unavoidable speed bumps in any player’s development. Just ask Beckham and Wayne Rooney, both of whom were sent off at major tournaments in the precocious stage of their careers.

At least Alli’s impetuous moment came against Gent and not Portugal or Argentina.

Next: Christian Eriksen player review

Spurs, as expected with any player who performs at Alli’s level, are now faced with on onslaught of transfer hysteria. There is no question that Alli will continue to improve. And there is no ceiling to his potential.

He is the hottest midfield commodity in Europe, a title Alli is obviously deserving of. Alli has one less “l” in his surname than the great Muhammed Ali, but certainly doesn’t play second fiddle when it comes to potential.