Carragher: This Tottenham youngster is playing beyond his years
By Dominic Toner
Jamie Carragher has named Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli as his breakthrough artist for 2016 and feels his performances suggest he is older than he is.
The 20-year-old has emerged as a key player for Spurs since making his debut in August 2015 and has also become vital to his country England.
The attacking midfielder helped Spurs compete for the Premier League title in the 2015/16 season, scoring 10 goals and supplying nine assists in 33 league games.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has built his side around a young English core and Alli is joined by the likes of Harry Kane and Eric Dier.
Carragher believes that Alli is playing beyond his years and looks a comfortable player in the Premier League.
“You have to remind yourself from time to time that Alli has yet to turn 21,” Carragher wrote in the Mail. “He plays with such confidence and looks so comfortable in the Premier League that you would have him down for being a good few years older.
“It was only right that he was named PFA Young Player of the Year in April for his role in the Tottenham title challenge and though he did not have the impact on Euro 2016 he would have liked, Alli has finished 2016 strongly. His star is firmly ascending.”
Alli has continued to be an important Spurs player in the second half of 2016 as the north London club chase success this campaign.
The playmaker has made 22 appearances this season across all competitions, scoring five goals and supplying four assists.
He has formed a strong partnership with forward team-mate Harry Kane and the pair are hopeful of leading another title challenge.
Spurs are currently fifth-placed in the table and will be keen to break into the top four, but league leaders Chelsea are 10 points above them.
Alli has continued his meteoric rise in 2016 and is expected to kick on again next year.
In other Tottenham news, Pochettino has discussed the future of the club’s 22-year-old.