The Tottenham midfielder, who is currently on England duty, began his career at MK Dons.
MK Dons chairman Pete Winkleman believes Dele Alli might not even be a professional football right now had it not been for his former club, speaking on Sky Sports’ Fantasy Football Club (aired 7 October, Sky Sports 1).
The 20-year-old began his footballing career with Dons, joining the club when he was 11 before making his debut as a 16-year-old, and the League One club’s chairman believes their former star owes everything to the club.
Dele Alli celebrates scoring the first goal for MK Dons
“If we hadn’t been here, he probably wouldn’t even be a footballer,” Winkleman told the Fantasy Football Club on Sky Sports 1.
“I’m incredibly proud of what Dele has been able to do.”
The youngster joined Spurs in 2015, but returned to MK Dons on loan for the remaining months of the season.
When he eventually made his Premier League debut at the start of last season, it did not take long for Alli to show the world how good a player he was, helping the North London club challenge for the league title, winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award and travelling to France with the England squad for the European Championships.
The midfielder has started this season brightly as well, scoring two goals, including one in Mauricio Pochettino’s side’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City at White Hart Lane.
No matter how far Alli goes in football, the club that introduced him to the game will always be MK Dons.
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