Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli has ‘great potential’ according to his new manager Antonio Conte as he looks to get back on track.
Conte takes charge of his first league games as Tottenham boss today as Spurs travel to take on Everton at Goodison Park.
The Italian beat Vitesse Arnhem on Thursday night but may well face a tough task on Merseyside today.
Conte will have plenty of selection dilemmas to work through, and a decision will be needed on Alli.
Alli was only on the bench as Tottenham beat Vitesse 3-2 on Thursday night. He wasn’t introduced as one of Conte’s four substitutions.
Now though, Conte has told Football.London that he still believes in Alli’s quality.
Conte recalled Alli scoring a brace against his Chelsea side in 2017, talking up Alli’s ‘great potential’ despite losing his way.
Conte added that all Tottenham players – including Alli – are ‘starting from zero’ under him and will play if they impress.
“I remember very well when we played against Tottenham in the past, specifically one game when we lost after 13 wins in a row and Dele scored twice,” said Conte. “But this is the past. Now there is a present and for sure Dele is a player that has great potential, physically he is strong and he is very good. For sure I give him the possibility to show his talent, at the same time when I pick the starting XI I do it because I think they can bring the team to win, the same when I make changes during the game. With me, I am open, I am open for every single player in Tottenham.”
“The most important thing is they show me they deserve to have the chance to play. The door is open for every single player, my first thought is to try and give them the best situation to show their talent, but then they need to show me I must be sure to give them a chance and repay. For all players, every single player. For now we are starting from zero, there is a new coach. I tell every single player, not specifically Dele, show me you deserve to play from the start and I will give you the chance to start,” he added.
Nuno Espirito Santo and Jose Mourinho seemingly gave up on Alli after initially starting them in the Tottenham side.
Alli has sadly regressed from the player that scored twice against Conte in 2017. He simply isn’t a nailed-on starter for Tottenham and may be drinking in the last-chance saloon.
If Alli doesn’t shine under Conte, his Tottenham career could be over. This really is his last opportunity to shine with Spurs.
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