In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Dean Windass has challenged Dele Alli to step up in Heung Min Son’s absence.
The South Korean sustained a hamstring problem in Sunday’s north London derby, and Jose Mourinho confirmed that he will miss Spurs’ Europa League tie with Dinamo Zagreb this evening.
Should Dele Alli start for Tottenham against Aston Villa?
Yes
No
Alli has started just once in the Premier League since the opening day, but appears to have put his differences aside with Mourinho having featured in nine of Spurs’ last 10 matches since returning from a tendon injury in February.
And with Son now ruled out of the game in Zagreb, and Steven Bergwijn being overlooked at present, it could present an opportunity for the England man, rated at £34.2m by Transfermarkt.
Alli has started each of Tottenham’s previous three Europa League matches, and Windass believes he has a real chance to make a real impact with Son sidelined.
He told Football FanCast: “It’s a good opportunity for Dele Alli. We don’t know what reaction Dele Alli has in training every day, Jose sees him every day in training. You don’t become a bad player overnight.
“He’s got back in the squad, then he gets the opportunity to come on. I thought he did really well when he came on [against Arsenal]. Now’s the chance if he starts the next game, then he’s got to say ‘yeah, I am a good player, I have got a future at this football club.’”