Paul Merson has praised Tottenham ace Dele Alli for his recent improvement.
Pundit Paul Merson has told the Daily Star that he feels Tottenham star Dele Alli is back on song having ‘looked a bit lost’ so far this season.
Alli, 20, enjoyed a remarkable first season in the Premier League last term, as he grabbed ten goals and nine assists in a superb campaign.
The former MK Dons midfielder subsequently earned a place in England’s Euro 2016 side, but his struggles at the tournament seemed to carry over into the Premier League season, and he made a slow start to the campaign.
Tottenham’s Dele Alli celebrates scoring their first goal
With just three goals and no assists in his first 11 Premier League games, Alli failed to really hit the ground running, but his last six Premier League games have seen get somewhere back to his best.
Alli’s brace against Southampton on Wednesday means it’s now three goals and one assist in his last six Premier League games, whilst he also scored against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League in December.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping that Alli takes that form into today’s game against Watford, and ahead of that game, pundit Paul Merson has offered his view on the Tottenham star.
Paul Merson
Merson has told the Daily Star that he thinks Alli has ‘looked a bit lost’ this season, and puts that down to trying to come deep and get involved in play too much, rather than making runs off Harry Kane to get into the box.
The former Arsenal playmaker added that he thinks Alli has refocused his game in recent weeks and is getting back to basics, hence his improved goal return, and thinks the England ace is ‘back on song’ as we head into 2017.
“Dele Alli looks back on song and that is good news for Tottenham because I think he’s been struggling badly this season. At times he’s looked a bit lost,” said Merson. “He’s not looked like the Alli of last year at all. I think he got away from what he does best a bit too much – and that’s making those late runs into the box.”
“It sounds so simple but it’s the hardest thing in football, knowing when to time your run and arrive at just the right time. There’s only a few players who can do that. Frank Lampard was the master at it, but Alli can do it as well. I think he’s tried to get too involved this season, coming too short to receive the ball and not giving his team an option further up the pitch.”
“But in the last few games he’s concentrated on making his runs and getting into the box, and it’s paying off for him. That’s good news for Spurs, and good news for England too. Fair play to him,” he added.
What have you thought of Alli’s recent performances?
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