Paul Merson explains ‘horrible’ aspect of Dele Alli’s struggles at Tottenham

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Paul Merson has told Sky Sports that he believes Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli has lost confidence in his Spurs teammates, and it has stopped the Spurs star from making any runs into the opposition box.

Alli, 23, starred in 2016-17 and 2017-18 – where he scored a combined 36 goals and 30 assists – but has struggled to replicate such form. Injuries hampered his progress last season, while the £100k-a-week (Spotrac) star is struggling this time around.

Perhaps harshly, the England international received pelters on Sunday from the Sky Sports punditry team of Roy Keane, Gary Neville and others. But there is a problem, and Arsenal legend Merson reckons he is has identified it.

Merson believes Alli has lost confidence in his Spurs teammates and their ability to give him the ball when making a run beyond Harry Kane. Merson described it as a “horrible” feeling, but one that Alli is currently struggling to cope with.

“I like Harry Winks but he’s not a 40-yard passer of the ball,” Merson said. “The only one who is going to put it on a sixpence for you in the Tottenham team is Christian Eriksen.

“If you look back on Alli’s goals over the last few years, some of his goals have been from 40-yard passes and I think he’s lost confidence in the players on the ball.

“It’s horrible because he starts thinking ‘I’m not going to run here because I’m not going to be found’ so you don’t run and you’re the one who gets the blame and I think that’s the problem he’s got at the moment.”

TBR’s view – Merson has hit the nail on the head, but Alli has other issues

Merson is bang on. Spurs, as a team, are suffering in confidence and Eriksen is playing well below par with the belief that he will be leaving the north London side sooner rather than later.

It sees the Spurs midfield play safe and go short, instead of taking a risk and playing the ball long for Alli. It has seen Alli stopped making runs, and getting any chances to find the back of the net.

But Alli is also suffering from a lack of confidence himself, scoring only one goal this season. Against Liverpool, he was hardly involved and look frightened. Spurs need him to regain his form, but it looks a long way off.