Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says Dele Alli’s record is ‘unbelievable’.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has told The Mirror that Dele Alli’s statistics are ‘unbelievable’ after yet another goal on Saturday afternoon.
Spurs coasted to a 4-0 home win over Watford on Saturday, and whilst two-goal hero Son Heung-min stole the headlines, the scoring was opened by midfielder Alli.
The 20-year-old collected the ball from Son on the left, moved the ball inside and whipped an unstoppable curling strike beyond Heurelho Gomes and into the back of the net.
It’s now six goals and five assists in Alli’s last nine games for Tottenham in all competitions, with the England international showing that he is far from a one-season wonder.
The ex-MK Dons youngster smashed ten goals and nine assists in the Premier League last season, but many felt that he would find his second season more difficult as defences grew used to him and were wiser against him.
Alli has adapted accordingly though, and his Premier League record this season now stands at a whopping 16 goals and five assists in 30 appearances, making him one of English football’s top talents.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has now spoken to The Mirror about Alli’s record, having been told that Alli has now been involved – goals or assists – in 40 goals before the age of 21, which is many as Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and David Beckham recorded combined at the same age.
Tottenham’s Dele Alli celebrates scoring their first goal against Watford
Pochettino initially reacted with a simple ‘wow’ having been told those statistics, but continued by saying that Alli’s record is ‘unbelievable’, and he has the perfect character for a player – but most keep improving to fulfil his ‘massive’ potential.
“Wow! It’s unbelievable, no?” said Pochettino. “But he’s still green. He’s great. First of all a great kid. A lovely, person. And then he is a great player. He is so young he can improve a lot, he can learn a lot, his potential is massive.”
“This character he has is perfect for a player. When you are winning and you feel that to lose on the pitch is like losing your life, that is all we want in a player. Of course, he is young and he needs to improve, but he needs love. To improve, it’s not about looking to punch him or to punish him,” he added.
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