Dele Alli ‘living off his name’ and his Tottenham future is bleak – pundit
Noel Whelan has blasted Dele Alli’s performance for Tottenham in Thursday’s defeat to Vitesse Arnhem.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 25-year-old’s name and reputation is the only reason he is still in the Spurs side.
Alli played the full 90 minutes as Nuno Espirito Santo’s men slipped to a 1-0 defeat in the Netherlands.
Nuno named a completely changed starting XI from the side who beat Newcastle last weekend.
However, Alli was among several international stars named among Thursday’s lineup.
Whelan suggested the playmaker should be leading the side with his experience.
However, he admitted Alli let another chance to impress pass him by with another poor display.
“I think his name is the only way he’s getting in the team right now,” Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.
“It’s from what he’s done in the past and the fact they don’t have a big enough squad to bring other people in. He’s been given chance after chance.
“We’ve seen a handful of decent performances in two years. For somebody of Dele Alli’s quality, what he’s shown and produced, that we’ve watched and admired that, that’s not a good return.
“He’s a very experienced player, he should be leading that side. In my opinion, he should be going out and captaining that side.
“How can you give the captain’s armband to somebody that is not showing hunger, desire and quality?
“Right now, I think he’s just living off his name and what he’s done in the past. He’s not showing anything he can produce or offer in the future.”
Alli has scored twice and contributed one assist in 11 appearances this season.
In other news, Tottenham star tipped to sign for new club in January after insider update.