How has a Lower League tutelage set this Tottenham star apart from the rest?

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There’s no easy game in English football. As fully grown men go toe-to-toe on the field, many fans await a crunching 50-50 or full blooded slide-tackle. But as a boy, the frailties which lie in such an action could, and probably would, result in severe pain. Dele Alli, England’s new future, and current, star was that boy thrown in at the deep end. Coming from Bradwell in Milton Keynes, Alli went on to join MK Dons at the age of 11, 5 years before making his debut for the first team. His first touch in professional football was a back-heeled pass.

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Alli made 2 league appearances at the age of 16 which is a credit to the backroom staff at the Dons; Jack Wilshere, who burst onto the scene at a similar age, was overplayed as a youngster and now is suffering the consequences. He scored his first goal his full debut after his audacious first-touch, the back-heel, which was sure to set fans tongues wagging yet his manager Karl Robinson handled the situation perfectly and kept Alli grounded.

Alli’s youth was one of intense individual tuition. His flicks and tricks also came with aggression. Lucky to escape UEFA action after ‘kicking’ out at a Fiorentina player in the Europa League, the smiling teen has always played on the edge. During his time MK, Alli had his own system, brought in by the coaches, which used a sin-bin in order to prevent moments of madness.

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Stepping into the professional game would do little to stop Alli’s tantrums. “A lot of senior players have had a little word with me because I laugh quite a lot…you get a lot of guys trying to kick you,” Alli said in a recent interview with FouFourTwo. The difference in the senior leagues is that the adults know what they can get away with, a young man doesn’t. Yet with the game-time granted to him, Alli was able to learn the game much quicker than those in the Under 21 academy set ups. Jesse Lingard is the epitome, having only just permanently broken into a lacklustre United side at 23. Alli has been ‘pro’ since 16, meaning he’s had 7 years of first-team experience more than Lingard.

As much as the coaches looked to prevent Alli from making a bad challenge, Dean Lewington was keen to guide Alli alternatively. The Dons captain asked Alli to keep his flying challenges as part of his game, the England international has since vowed not to lose the trait. Alli feels it makes him tougher.

The tough-tackling nature of League One taught Alli in a way no academy can. Having to be a second quicker than seasoned professionals propelled Alli to Premier League stardom. Now assigned with the significant task of being a pinnacle of a trophy chasing Tottenham side, Alli has had to show his versatility also.

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Having played primarily as an attacking midfielder during his time at MK Dons, Alli has learnt to shape his game to the needs of his Premier League outfit. Operating as a deeper-lying midfielder, a left attacking midfielder and centrally, Alli has flourished and it reverts back to his youth. Throughout his tutelage, being taught by a single manager in Karl Robinson has come to benefit him since moving to Spurs. Operating a similar philosophy to Robinson, Pocchetino was one of the main reasons Alli joined Spurs. The homogenous tactics have meant Alli is yet to feel unease, a reason why he hasn’t shown a hint of fear since first breaking into the professional ranks.

The potential to claim a PFA Young Player of the year and goal of the season award for his stunner at Selhurst Park is a testament to MK Dons. As Tottenham’s second highest scorer, at the time of writing he has 7, Alli has got an ability to score from midfield similar of that Frank Lampard had. While also having 9 league assists, the young man has, so far, created 42 chances in his debut Premier League season.

A key stat looking forward, however, is his game completion. Having appeared in 29 of the 31 games played prior to the March international break, he has been subbed off 44% of the time. Although this may suggest a lack of stamina, it’s great news and superb man-management. Preventing Alli from a game overload is vital to ensure his best years are still ahead of him. In comparison to the former Liverpool man Raheem Sterling, Alli has played just a handful of games Sterling achieved on Merseyside. By 20, the QPR academy graduate had played for 95 times, his body is, possibly, now paying for this. The fixture overload Sterling undertook as a youngster has left him fatigued and injured making him, currently, a £49m flop for Manchester City. Alli at this rate will have got through a more manageable amount of 90 minutes by 20, 70 full games to be precise.

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Yet in a typically English fashion, it wouldn’t be right if the player the country pins their hopes on isn’t injury stricken. Let’s just hope this is not the case for our very own German-defeating, former lower league superstar Dele Alli.

Featured Image – All Rights Reserved by arif_shamim.