Tottenham’s Deli Ali is one of a number of players making his mark in the Premier League after being signed from England’s third tier. He joins a group of players from the lower leagues who are making their marks at the likes of Everton, Hull City and Swansea City.
Tottenham’s Dele Alli celebrates scoring their second goal
Dele Alli became the first midfielder to be directly involved in 20 Premier League goals this season, as he scored Tottenham Hotspur’s opener in a 4-0 demolition of Watford.
Still not yet 21-years-old, Alli has certainly hit the ground running since arriving at Tottenham in the summer of 2015, following a move from MK Dons.
In fact the £5m Spurs spent on the England international now looks like an absolute bargain, and is proof that dipping into League One can prove to be a cost efficient way of uncovering relatively unknown gems.
Another player like Tottenham’s Ali who has impressed in 2016/17 is Harry Maguire. Maguire was also plucked from England’s third tier, when Hull City signed the centre-back from Sheffield United in the summer of 2014 for £2.5m.
Now being named as a possible Three Lions candidate for Gareth Southgate, Maguire has been instrumental in Hull’s recent revival under manager Marco Silva.
Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama in action with Hull City’s Harry Maguire
Alfie Mawson is another defender who has managed to make the step up after being signed by Swansea City from Barnsley last summer, while both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ademola Lookman have made an instant impact at Everton after joining from Sheffield United and Charlton Athletic respectively.
Alli may be the standout star, but there is plenty of proof that top tier sides should join the likes of Tottenham, Everton, Hull City and Swansea City and be looking to the lower leagues for young talent.
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