Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho has told Football.London that Dele Alli will be making the trip to Macedonia to take on Shkendija.
Spurs saw their Carabao Cup clash with Leyton Orient cancelled on Tuesday evening, which at least takes a game out of Tottenham’s packed schedule.
On Thursday, the attention turns to the Europa League, as Spurs play their latest qualifying game, travelling to Macedonia.
Shkendija are Tottenham’s latest opponents having taken on Lokomotiv Plovdiv last week in a rather testing game for Mourinho’s men.
Much of the focus is now on Dele Alli, as the midfielder was left out of the Tottenham squad to face Plovdiv and then Southampton over the weekend.
Alli has been linked with a move away from Tottenham since being substituted at half time against Everton earlier this month, with Paris Saint-Germain keen according to The Telegraph.
Now though, Mourinho has confirmed that Alli is making the trip to Macedonia, and will have a chance to be in the squad against Shkendija.
Mourinho added that he now sees Alli staying put at Tottenham, and put the emphasis on Alli to step up, believing that coaches only have 1% of the responsibility with a player’s performances.
“Dele Alli will make the trip,” said Mourinho. “I always said that Dele will have a chance. He’s coming. He’ll have a chance to perform and it’s important that he does. It’s important that every player does.”
“I see him staying. There is a tendency now that when a player performs or doesn’t perform to give responsibilities to coach because they gave him the right stick or didn’t. I always feel that 99% of the responsibility is the player. I, and the staff who work with the player, have 1%,” he added.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
