Former England and Manchester United captain, Bryan Robson, has praised Dele Alli after the Spurs midfielder put in a man of the match performance against Germany in Berlin, as England came from 2-0 down to beat Germany 3-2.
Writing in his column for the Daily Mail, Robson was full of praise for the ex-MK Dons midfielder, who has been fantastic in his first season at White Hart Lane.
Robson said of Alli:
Alli’s energy level is really good. It could prove a real asset as he develops. I used to run and run. I reasoned from an early age that if I put the work in after training I could improve my stamina. I knew if the man I was against couldn’t match me for stamina, I had an edge. Alli can work at that.
His running is intelligent, going beyond the forwards and tracking back. He’s aggressive, which you wouldn’t think at first glance. He’s only 19 so physically he has another four or five years growing. He will fill out a bit more and get stronger but a player doesn’t really mature until he’s around 23.
Robson also spoke about Alli’s heading ability and his desire to win the ball using his head, saying it is an area he could focus on in the future.
He said:
He didn’t seem too keen to head a ball. I didn’t see him going for many aerial challenges despite being 6ft 2in but you can’t have everything. It’s something he can work on.
Furthermore, Robson was also cautious about what the future holds for Dele Alli, stating that he must have the desire to keep performing as well as he has been, he said:
At Alli’s age it’s about desire. When the plaudits come, don’t start thinking you are better than you really are. Question yourself — how much do I really want it?
The ones that make a difference are the ones who realise “yes I’m good but I want to be brilliant”, not just this year but every year. I want to be the best I can and never be satisfied. That applies to the likes of Barkley as well as Alli. Barkley really excites me. He has pace, power, skill and that aggression.
I want to see those two really fight for it. Seize the opportunity, grab it by the scruff of the neck and show you are not just another pretender — be somebody, be a winner.
How important can Dele Alli be for England and how impressed have you been by Alli so far this season?
