Manager fires training ground warning to Tottenham superstar, makes plea as axe beckons – report
By Richard Parks
Dele Alli was ‘pulled aside” on the training ground during England’s 10-day get-together and told to “up his game” before he was axed from the starting XI, according to a report.
The Sun claim the Tottenham superstar was told in no uncertain terms by England manager Gareth Southgate that his efforts in training were not up to scratch.
It is said that Southgate fired the “warning” before then axing Alli from the team for both of the friendlies against Holland and Italy and he “now faces a fight” for his World Cup starting place.
Alli, 21, played the final 22 minutes of the 1-0 win in Holland last Friday and was an unused substitute for the 1-1 draw against Italy four days later.
Southgate opted to play Raheem Sterling in the number 10 position behind spearhead Jamie Vardy against Italy on Tuesday night.
Football Insider verdict:
Many Spurs fans will not only be unconcerned that Alli had his feet up for an end-of-season friendly but also delighted that he was wrapped up in cotton wool ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash at Chelsea and a run-in that includes the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United. However, it would be remiss to not acknowledge that Alli’s form in recent months has been mixed and Southgate’s reported warning hints at a deeper issue. Sure, the hot Spur remains a nailed-on starter under Mauricio Pochettino, but his performances are not at the level they were last season, or the campaign before. The stats are still decent – 10 goals and 16 assists from 42 matches – but for a number 10 who spends so much time in and around the box they are nothing special. Alli needs to raise his game for club and country.
In other Tottenham news, it can be revealed that the club have ripped up the contract of a defender.
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