Dele Alli has been a player who has created quite a buzz in the Premier League over the last 18 months. Few expected the former MK Dons midfielder to make such an impact at the club and international level. Alli has been a shining light in the Spurs team, as they move from being a top six contender into potential title challengers. In the past, Spurs have struggled to retain the best players once the top clubs like Manchester United and Real Madrid entered into the fray. Part of the reason was the absence of Champions League football, but retaining Alli now seems a distinct possibility.
Even though the focus will be on elements like the brand-new 60,000 seater stadium and another title challenge, Spurs need to be aware that Alli is of huge importance to the club already. Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp reckons that Alli is better than Steven Gerrard at this age. Gerrard is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders to have represented the England national team and such a comparison from Redknapp elevates Alli to a much bigger level.
“Dele Alli is the one player who you think is going to make something happen, Redknapp told Daily Mail.
“Not even Steven Gerrard was displaying that kind of authority on the pitch at that age.
“Alli didn’t even play as well as he can, but you can tell the other players have respect for him.
“He can be England’s linchpin for many years to come. I was disappointed to see him come off.”
Redknapp’s praise comes after watching Alli in the recent World Cup qualifiers for England. The 20-year-old started both games against Malta and Slovenia. Even though the game against Slovenia was a disappointing element for all England players, Alli managed to score only his second international goal in the 2-0 win. Since making his debut in 2015, Alli has already gone on to make 15 appearances including a major tournament under his belt in the form of the Euro 2016.
Without a shadow of doubt, Alli has to go through several difficult periods before being considered alongside Gerrard. The former Liverpool midfielder made his debut for England in 2000 and went on to make 114 appearances over a 14-year career. Even though he managed to score only 21 goals, his period in the centre of the midfield is seen as a golden generation for the national team. Redknapp may have a lot of truth in his comparisons with Gerrard. When the Liverpool midfielder was 20, he had managed to make only two appearances for the national team.
Gerrard was far more influential as a leader towards the end of his international career. Redknapp believes that Alli can move forward into the next level only if he starts to have a commanding voice in the dressing room. At the moment, Alli is seen as a player who can create something out of nothing. Redknapp has seen enough authority from the 20-year-old to suggest that he can be a future captain of the England national team.
