Tottenham’s man of the match vs West Ham bodes well for future

Dele Alli edged Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min to take Man of the Match honours against West Ham, an unfamiliar yet exciting development for Tottenham. 

It’s been about a year since the last time Dele took similar plaudits from a Premier League outing. Injuries have played a part in Dele’s recent demise. Injuries drain confidence as effectively as watching a Coronation Street Omnibus drains energy levels.

There were many positive signs from Dele’s last few weeks with Mauricio Pochettino. You could see Dele slowly transforming, coming back from the dead. A restoration of confidence was noticeable. Like a locomotive train, an enigma like Dele takes time to gain a full head of steam. Pochettino is one of the world’s best man managers, something Dele benefited from during the Argentinian’s early days in charge. Dele blossomed under Pochettino, becoming one of the world’s best at his position, especially considering his tender age.

Yesterday, under new manager Jose Mourinho, Dele recreated the form responsible for his meteoric rise in world football. We saw the arrogance, movement, skill, craftiness, intelligence Spurs faithful had come to expect from their wunderkind.

Mourinho said all the right things to his new players, paying inflated attention to praising Dele. Millennials, regardless of their fame and popularity, require constant positive reinforcement. Players like Dele need to be put on a pedestal, provided the autonomy and freedom to showcase their genius.

That is what Pochettino provided Dele five years ago; and it’s exactly what Mourinho is now facilitating.

When was the last time you remember Dele pulling off a trick of yesterday’s inconceivable quality? More importantly, though, is that his inexplicable flick-turn-through-ball led directly to Lucas Moura’s goal.

Mourinho mouthed the words “you’re the man” to Dele in the immediate aftermath of the goal. I think we can all agree with Mourinho. Dele needs to know he’s the man, without fail and in perpetuity.

With constant positive reinforcement Dele can continue his progression – after a year regression – to becoming one of the world’s most important creative midfielders.

That title is within his grasp, and if he consistently puts in efforts like he did yesterday he’ll be anointed with that title before anyone knows how Brexit will conclude.