Will Tottenham’s Dele Alli join the 20-goal club this season?
By Gary Pearson
Dele Alli scored the most goals of any midfielder last season and will look to go two better in the current campaign, thereby eclipsing the 20-goal mark for the first time.
The two-time PFA Young Player of the Year started the 2017-18 season the way he left off last campaign. He was a thorn in Newcastle’s side, using his innate talent of getting under the opponent’s skin to lure Jonjo Shelvey into a nonsensical sending off.
Alli punished Shelvey for his idiocy 13 minutes later, opening Tottenham’s goal account for the season with a quintessential deep run from midfield. The goal reminded me of the one he scored in the FA Cup semifinal vs. Chelsea last season, which was also assisted by Christian Eriksen.
Alli’s willingness to get into the box and find space is reminiscent of Frank Lampard, who made a living out of sourcing space between center backs and midfielders on late, intelligent runs. Alli, who is still only 21 years old, reads the game better than most, even those with years more experience.
Can the cunning, maturing midfielder go on and score 20 goals this season? Without a doubt but it won’t be easy.
Alli, who scored 18 top flight goals in 2016-17, was only two away from obtaining that milestone last season. There will, however, be a massive target on the youngster’s back after last season’s dominance.
But world class players rise to the occasion and find ways to thrive, even when under increased scrutiny and duress.
In addition, Spurs have yet to sign anyone to reinforce their attack. The top scoring Premier League side from last season will argue there’s no real need for reinforcements, though.
He’ll need lots of help from his supply stream, though.
It will be once again up to the triumvirate responsible for setting him up, most notably Eriksen. Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane will also be called upon to assist the young midfielder, but Eriksen is the key to Alli’s 20-goal aspirations.
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Alli scored in bunches during the 2016-17 season. The most prodigious part of that campaign came during the Christmas period, when Alli scored seven goals in four games, a stretch involving three consecutive two-goal games.
If he can find a level of goal-scoring consistency around and between those prolific outbursts, Alli will undoubtedly join Kane as a member of the 20-goal club. And he’ll hit the milestone without sacrificing his assists’ total.