What next for Dele Alli?
Last season was the worst of Dele Alli’s relatively young career.
He struggled for game time, playing just 620 minutes in the league. Though, that was in the form of 15 Premier League appearances where he only managed a measly return of 1 assist.
In regards to his attacking threat, he was a shadow of the player who generated 12 returns in 25 Premier League appearances the season before.
But his defensive numbers were outstanding and saw him reach the 99th percentile for pressures, and pressures in the attacking third (as per fbref/statsbomb). Numbers that promote retrospective irony of the highest degree for two reasons.
Reason Number One
José Mourinho’s comments the season before as he famously said “Dele Alli is not a midfield player.”
Reason Number Two
The fact that Spurs are currently the worst side in the Premier League (as of Jan 25th 2022) when it comes to winning possession in the final third. If only they had a player in their ranks that placed in the 90th percentile for tackles in the attacking third in 2 of the last 3 seasons… If only…
End Product
In fairness, you can understand why José Mourinho identified Dele Alli as an attacking player. His first 2 seasons at Spurs saw him rack up 44 attacking returns in 70 Premier League appearances - with Dele scoring 18 of those during his second season in England’s top flight.
And even the next 3 seasons that followed were sprinkled with goals and assists.
Bearing in mind last season’s numbers and now accounting for this season’s, a pattern is beginning to appear - and it’s not positive.
The main focal point of Dele Alli’s game has completely diminished over the previous season and half. There is a severe lack of end product, with Alli contributing with just 1 goal and 1 assist in his last 35 Premier League appearances.
Fluctuation in Management
The fluctuation of managers at Tottenham Hotspur over the last couple of years will not have helped Dele Alli’s development by any stretch of the imagination.
Whilst the first half of Jose Mourinho’s spell saw Dele Alli deployed as an attacking midfielder, sitting just behind Harry Kane, the second half saw him majorly struggling for game time - with Tanguy Ndombele preferred in formations that made use of an attacking midfielder.
The appointment of Ryan Mason saw him start the final 5 games of the season, but the performances were far from inspirational and saw Alli deliver just 1 assist - his first of the Premier League campaign in Tottenham’s 35th game of the season, against Leeds United.
Under Nuno Espírito Santo, Dele Alli found himself as a starter - for the first 6 games at least. During these 6 appearances, he scored 1 goal and failed to create a single chance. He did not suit Nuno’s system - a system that saw him function primarily as a central midfielder.
Which brings us to the present day, where Dele Alli finds himself as a bench player for Spurs, having made just 3 Premier League appearances under Antonio Conte. One of those appearances saw him feature as a defensive midfielder in a double pivot, a role that in no way plays to Alli’s best strengths.
The Best Version of Dele Alli
The best version of Dele Alli could be seen during the 2016/2017 season, in which he netted an incredible 22 goals and chipped in with a further 14 assists in 50 appearances for Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs side.
18 of those goals were in the Premier League, with 12 goals occurring when Alli was deployed as an attacking midfielder.
So, what can we conclude?
Well firstly, José Mourinho was onto something.
Dele Alli had his best goalscoring season when he primarily featured as a number 10. Of those 18 Premier League goals scored, 12 came from when Alli functioned as a native number 10.
So that is our first conclusion; Dele Alli’s best position is the role of an attacking midfielder.
The best version of Dele Alli functions as a native number 10, giving him the freedom to occupy central areas and provide attacking support whilst making use of his technical ability to create space, opportunities and most importantly; goal-threat.
A big part of why Dele Alli flourishes as a number 10 though is due to his defensive work. As an attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-2-1 system for example, he will act as part of the first line of defence, providing an astonishingly high number of pressures per 90 - numbers that put him in and around the 99th percentile per 90 (as per fbref/statsbomb).
Our second conclusion? Dele Alli needs to leave Tottenham Hotspur.
A Change of Scenery
Having struggled for game time across the last season and a half, it’s obvious that Dele Alli needs a change of scenery.
At 25-years-old, he has an incredible amount of experience and more importantly, potential.
He’s currently valued at around £22.5m, which is a bargain if a club can help him return to his best.
The question is, which club is he most likely go to? and can said club allow him the opportunity to function as an attacking midfielder in a progressive system?
At this point in time, Dele Alli is linked with a host of clubs with the likes of Newcastle, PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Brighton, Everton, Southampton and Burnley all said to be in for the 25-year-old Englishman.
But which move would suit him best?
Dele Alli’s Next Club
Although they’re not said to be in for him, Leeds United would be an astute move, tactically speaking, for Dele Alli.
He would fit seamlessly into Bielsa’s 4-1-4-1, 3-3-3-1 and 4-2-3-1 systems with an ability to enhance Leeds’ counter-press.
If Leeds are unsuccessful in their attempts to lure Brenden Aaronson away from RB Salzburg, then a move for Dele Alli would suit both parties.
As I mentioned though, Leeds United have not been linked, so whilst The Whites would be an ideal destination, we’ll instead pick from the clubs who have been linked.
Borussia Dortmund are a club who could offer Dele Alli an exciting platform to show the world what he can do.
Head coach; Marco Rose, often fluctuates between formations that use an out-and-out number 10 but has garnered some consistency over the past month utilising a 4-3-3 system.
There is also a lot of competition at Dortmund for an attacking midfielder, with Reus, Reinier and Brandt all capable of playing anywhere across the forward positions.
It’s the same with PSG. Whilst a reunion with former manager Mauricio Pochettino could help matters, the 4-3-3 system that PSG have settled with would not allow Dele Alli the opportunity to prosper and there is also a responsibility to act as a support for the superstars; Kylian Mbappé and Neymar - which could hamper Alli’s attacking opportunities.
In terms of game time, a move to Dortmund or PSG at this stage could be too risky for Dele, so we’ll move onto the next possible destination.
Newcastle are one of the favourites to land Alli’s signature, and have recently shone when setting up as a 4-3-2-1.
Eddie Howe’s system incorporates two number 10s, and Dele Alli has proven himself in a similar 3-4-2-1 set-up in his best season at Tottenham.
There is also potential for Dele to become a key player for Newcastle, and if that was the case then fans would give him the love and support that we at Let’s Talk Ball believe he craves as a football player.
On the other hand, Brighton could offer another promising route out of Spurs, and the temptation of joining an ambitious side with a tactically astute manager could be a tempting proposition.
Potter tends to switch formations for each opponent and Alli has the necessary versatility to function well in a total football system like this.
All five aforementioned teams would give Dele Alli an opportunity to prosper in a different setting, but the most logical scenario would see him go to Newcastle United on loan for the rest of the season.
This way, he would be able to minimise risk and have a chance to enjoy his football, with a determined side who want to avoid relegation at all costs.
At Newcastle, he would be able to function in his favoured role as a number 10 and play for a club who offer an exciting project.
Overall, this represents the best short-term option for Dele Alli to rejuvenate his once promising career.
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