Jamie O’Hara was warned Newcastle United from signing Dele Alli from Tottenham because he might not have that ‘fire in his belly’ for their relegation battle, as he told talkSPORT.
The Radio pundit added that Newcastle need players that want to ‘prove’ themselves and who have an ‘edge’ to their game.
Whilst Alli can provide that on his day, he hasn’t had ‘his day’ in the Premier League for a very, very long time.
Under different managers, he has struggled and gone from an 18-goal midfielder that made his Premier League debut at 19 to probably ranking in 18th place in terms of the attacking midfield picks for England.
Given Alli’s situation at Spurs, rumours have surfaced that he is free to leave the club on a loan deal next month, with Newcastle keen to sign him up, as reported by the Athletic.
Whilst O’Hara agrees that it is time for Alli to leave north London, he doesn’t think he should be heading towards St James’ Park.
“Well, who wants him, that’s the question,” said O’Hara. “Newcastle need players with something to prove and an edge. You are taking risks with Dele Alli.
“He could go their and not have that fire in his belly, which could cost you. Dele Alli, at his best, he creates goals and scores goals.”
Newcastle are going to need players that will hit the ground running and Alli provides an element of risk if Eddie Howe snapped him up.
Some would look towards Jesse Lingard and how, this time last season, he was nowhere near England’s first-team picture, as far as Alli is now, yet a loan move to West Ham changed everything for him.
The Manchester United midfielder found his goalscoring touch at the London Stadium and he guided the Hammers into Europe.
Those performances saw him return to the England set-up and perhaps Alli can take inspiration from that, as well as Newcastle.
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