Home And Away | Tottenham Hotspur dazzler Dele Alli must temper fire to forge greatness
Midfielder nominated for the Young Player of the Year award, but the young brave has a red mist which must be managed
Being nominated for the Young Player of the Year award by his peers was the perfect birthday present for English football’s brightest hope, Dele Alli, who turned 21 this week.
The Tottenham Hotspur dazzler was awarded the gong last season, so another in succession would justify the praise being heaped upon him.
The attacking midfielder unlocks defences with the same ease as a seasoned safe breaker and accelerates at speeds that would give a cheetah a run for its prey. And he wallops the ball home with all the abandon of a wrecking ball let off its chain.
Little wonder he is the focus of headline writers who shout about his ability and achievement.
His goal-scoring feat is an arresting statistic. His glorious 25-yard curler against Watford last weekend was his 16th in the league this season – more than any player below 21 in Europe’s top five leagues – and 19th in all competitions.
