Jermaine Jenas comments on Tottenham Hotspur ace Dele Alli

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Dele Alli is an important player for Tottenham Hotspur.

Jermaine Jenas has told The Times that he did not think that Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli was capable of handling responsibility in midfield.

Alli has been playing well for Tottenham after recovering from his injury problems, and the England international midfielder will be a key figure for Spurs in the North London derby against Arsenal this weekend.

The 22-year-old midfielder has scored two goals and provided one assist in six Premier League starts and has provided one assist in two Champions League appearances for Tottenham so far this season, according to WhoScored.

Former Tottenham midfielder Jenas has said that he has been surprised at the maturity shown by Alli in midfield.

Jenas told The Times: “Mauricio has played 4-3-3 at times which has meant Sissoko has been tucked in, Dele on the other side and Harry Winks or Eric Dier holding. It gives Dele more responsibility as a midfielder which actually I didn’t think he was capable of.”

The former Newcastle United star added: “Not that I didn’t think he was capable. I didn’t think he could do it at the top level and have an impact.

“I thought he was more of a Frank Lampard, ‘Right I am going to get you 15 goals’, not box-to-box, tackling, clearing from defensive areas — that is not where I saw Dele. I watched a couple of performances and even thought he would be fine playing in a 4-4-2.”

Big game

Playing at home will give Arsenal an advantage, but anything is possible in the North London derby.

Tottenham are in brilliant form at the moment, having got the better of Chelsea and Inter Milan in their past two matches.

Spurs have been terrific footballers, such as Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane and Alli, and Pochettino’s side will be confident of winning the North London derby against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.