Dele Alli at Everton

[heelspurs]

He lacks explosive pace. It’s incredibly important in attacking players nowadays and if you aren’t quick you have to be fucking amazing on the ball. He isn’t amazing on the ball.

He lacks the physicality you’d expect from a man his size. He isn’t very quick, or very strong. In fact it often looks like he’s running in treacle. He
is very slow when in possession. His one trick is a nutmeg. That’s basically it.

He has a very limited passing range, particularly long raking passes. He can’t make them. His long range shooting is really really poor. People think he’s a good shooter because of a few goals four years ago. Since then he’s really inaccurate.

He’s at his best when he makes instinctive finishes.

I really don’t see how he fits into a modern attacking system. And he definitely isn’t good enough to play in an elite side. For example who would he get in the team for in either Liverpool or City. He wouldn’t. He doesn’t fit at all.

Nowadays I don’t even know where he fits in at Spurs. He’s regressed into a squad player really.

He gives the ball away so much and he seems tactically stupid. Always tries low percentage fancy flicks which rarely come off instead of being smart and intelligent with the ball.

Maybe he will make a comeback and be brilliant but I just don’t see a player with a well rounded enough game to be top top class. Too many obvious flaws in his game. He’s more like Tim Cahill.

You sound like a guy that has a personal issue with Dele. If you don't like him then fine but don't make up stuff to satisfy your agenda. It's not nice. Real supporters back our players during dips in form because otherwise we don't deserve to celebrate when they get back to their normal class my friend. You are talking about a player that has started for England in the WC and the Euros and yet you don't think he has any quality. I say that perhaps you don't actually know what you are looking at because top levels managers have spoken his praise, Xavi and other ex-top players said he would be welcomed in the biggest teams in Europe, and as ITK has alluded to there are many conversations about Dele and offers sliding across DL's desk. Perhaps some of those guys can chime in here to stop this nonsense you are spouting.

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

Everything on here feels like Mordor these days

 

[Locotoro]

Dele's biggest qualities are evident when he's close to the box or behind the front man. Yes he's instinctive and will move into the space that exists but our problem is that we seem to play a diamond system where the space he'd move into is occupied by another attacker

 

[Johnny J]

You sound like a guy that has a personal issue with Dele. If you don't like him then fine but don't make up stuff to satisfy your agenda. It's not nice. Real supporters back our players during dips in form because otherwise we don't deserve to celebrate when they get back to their normal class my friend. You are talking about a player that has started for England in the WC and the Euros and yet you don't think he has any quality. I say that perhaps you don't actually know what you are looking at because top levels managers have spoken his praise, Xavi and other ex-top players said he would be welcomed in the biggest teams in Europe, and as ITK has alluded to there are many conversations about Dele and offers sliding across DL's desk. Perhaps some of those guys can chime in here to stop this nonsense you are spouting.

But you didn't really refute any of his arguments. IMO he's right that Alli doesn't have a good burst of speed, isn't great on the ball, doesn't have a good passing range, and isn't a clinical finisher. He's best when he's making Lampard-type runs into the box and instinctive finishes, but these days he gives the ball away so much and offers very little if he's not scoring.

 

[punkisback]

name me a development flaw he has?

The boys been playing with hamstring issue for about 2 seasons.

His simple passing, ball retention, decision making especially in the middle third; his technique in striking a ball.

 

[heelspurs]

But you didn't really refute any of his arguments. IMO he's right that Alli doesn't have a good burst of speed, isn't great on the ball, doesn't have a good passing range, and isn't a clinical finisher. He's best when he's making Lampard-type runs into the box and instinctive finishes, but these days he gives the ball away so much and offers very little if he's not scoring.

Ok, but some of that stuff has been known since he's been with us and he's still put up good numbers with those perceived shortcomings. So if you have a potential 20 goal/yr scorer then you build the team and tactics around getting the best out of him. And let's remember that Harry had his best scoring year with Dele right beside him. That's 50 goals right there.

His simple passing, ball retention, decision making especially in the middle third; his technique in striking a ball.

Some of these same things were said about Mueller and he's loaded with silverware. As Van Gaal said, as long as he's coach Mueller starts. This should be the same with Dele. When you have decisive genius you have to utilize it. I just believe that we should be looking elsewhere for problems to fix before we attack Dele whose has proven in his time with us to be an asset. When we fix other glaring problems with the squad Dele will come good and this will be a nonstory.

 

[JimmyG2]

Ok, but some of that stuff has been known since he's been with us and he's still put up good numbers with those perceived shortcomings. So if you have a potential 20 goal/yr scorer then you build the team and tactics around getting the best out of him. And let's remember that Harry had his best scoring year with Dele right beside him. That's 50 goals right there.


Some of these same things were said about Mueller and he's loaded with silverware. As Van Gaal said, as long as he's coach Mueller starts. This should be the same with Dele. When you have decisive genius you have to utilize it. I just believe that we should be looking elsewhere for problems to fix before we attack Dele whose has proven in his time with us to be an asset. When we fix other glaring problems with the squad Dele will come good and this will be a nonstory.

Class/form.

 

[double0]

It's very interesting that when a unique gift like Dele Alli appears on the scene people are baffled and look at such points to dismiss what they fail to understand ( apply the same points to other players). Football isn't all about stats im sure we all agree on that, its what you see to. Dele Alli imo is one of the brightest footballers out there from what I see, he can improvise, there's not many footballers that make the amount of sprints he does, he is a master at finding space and timing runs. He stretches opposition with his athleticism he is deceptively tall so don't expect him to be a tricky nimble Messi type dribbler. He is a winner of games scorer of all types of goals. Dele Alli is a game winner in his own right or he can assist to win games. He is certainly different (as was Dembele) I sense that if he doesn't score or gets a hattrick it's viewed he had a bad game.

I'd love for him to really get over his injuries, it's been a real handicap to the type of game we've been accustomed Alli to produce, that requires a lot of athleticism and we've seen the ridiculous figures he can get.

 

[double0]

His simple passing, ball retention, decision making especially in the middle third; his technique in striking a ball.

Would you say Raheem Sterling strikes a ball better?
How simple is simple? can a player who plays simple make that pass for Lucas Moura third and winning goal against Ajax. Ball retention and decision making is Son any better on that front? I say that because every player can to be measured there.

Fair enough I get it. Dele isn't everyone's cup of tea and yes he has some faults but so does Kane Eriksen Lamela Son Moura etc etc. Imo you get much more good / great/ fantastic than you get poor / bad / shit from Alli.

 

[glacierSpurs]

That is why young stars will taper off so quickly because they have to play with so many expectations that came after. When Dele was playing with that swagger, he was a star. When things got complicated, he will suffer.

It is gonna take a huge pat on the shoulder to regain his confidence now and whether or not that will be Poch is reserved for another discussion in another thread IMO.

 

[buckley]

With what as being said such as "he has no speed " and " he has poor ball control " and " he is not powerful enough " and " he has no football brain " and " he is not fit enough " and " his off field activity is affecting his play " ye gods how did this man who has played in a World Cup the european championship the champions league and the premiership ever become a professional footballer I don't know .
But what I do know is the knives are out for Deli and its because of a big dip in form which with hard work he can get back to where he was .
If all the things that are being said about him were true he would never have become a professional player at all .
Time to cut this young man some slack and get off of his back .

 

[mill]

With what as being said such as "he has no speed " and " he has poor ball control " and " he is not powerful enough " and " he has no football brain " and " he is not fit enough " and " his off field activity is affecting his play " ye gods how did this man who has played in a World Cup the european championship the champions league and the premiership ever become a professional footballer I don't know .
But what I do know is the knives are out for Deli and its because of a big dip in form which with hard work he can get back to where he was .
If all the things that are being said about him were true he would never have become a professional player at all .
Time to cut this young man some slack and get off of his back .

Tbf knives do tend to be out in a deli

 

[shelfmonkey]

Ok, but some of that stuff has been known since he's been with us and he's still put up good numbers with those perceived shortcomings. So if you have a potential 20 goal/yr scorer then you build the team and tactics around getting the best out of him. And let's remember that Harry had his best scoring year with Dele right beside him. That's 50 goals right there.


Some of these same things were said about Mueller and he's loaded with silverware. As Van Gaal said, as long as he's coach Mueller starts. This should be the same with Dele. When you have decisive genius you have to utilize it. I just believe that we should be looking elsewhere for problems to fix before we attack Dele whose has proven in his time with us to be an asset. When we fix other glaring problems with the squad Dele will come good and this will be a nonstory.

The highlighted word is where your argument fails, he just isn't decisive, he maybe a genius, but until he marries doing the simple stuff brilliantly and the decisive genius stuff at the right time he'll always look a lot less than he should be.

 

[sausage]

Tbf knives do tend to be out in a deli

And you could end up 'brown bread'

 

[Blake Griffin]

Would you say Raheem Sterling strikes a ball better?
How simple is simple? can a player who plays simple make that pass for Lucas Moura third and winning goal against Ajax. Ball retention and decision making is Son any better on that front? I say that because every player can to be measured there.

Fair enough I get it. Dele isn't everyone's cup of tea and yes he has some faults but so does Kane Eriksen Lamela Son Moura etc etc. Imo you get much more good / great/ fantastic than you get poor / bad / shit from Alli.

i think he was saying that his simple passing game is lacking, not that he passes simply. yes he can make that flick to lucas but more often than not that same flick will result in him losing the ball, at that moment in the game though it was necessary and not all players could pull it off but in a lot of ways he has to go for the more advanced as he lacks the basics to do the simple. it's similar when he's trying to beat a player, he lacks the acceleration or body movement to simply navigate his way around players so he often has to try something more extravagant or a nutmeg, when it comes off it's great but it's a low % option which will usually end in a turnover of possession.

i actually disagree with the overall feeling on here though that he's been poor for the past two years or so, imo he was playing the best he ever has in a spurs shirt around the winter time last season but that all seemed to vanish after that pickford assault at goodison.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

i think he was saying that his simple passing game is lacking, not that he passes simply. yes he can make that flick to lucas but more often than not that same flick will result in him losing the ball, at that moment in the game though it was necessary and not all players could pull it off but in a lot of ways he has to go for the more advanced as he lacks the basics to do the simple. it's similar when he's trying to beat a player, he lacks the acceleration or body movement to simply navigate his way around players so he often has to try something more extravagant or a nutmeg, when it comes off it's great but it's a low % option which will usually end in a turnover of possession.

i actually disagree with the overall feeling on here though that he's been poor for the past two years or so, imo he was playing the best he ever has in a spurs shirt around the winter time last season but that all seemed to vanish after that pickford assault at goodison.

Very much agreed with that last point, even if the goal contributions dropped, Dele was playing some great stuff first half of last season. The performance v Chelsea was one of the best midfielder performances we’ve had from any player in recent times.

I personally think all he needs is a run of games playing off Harry.

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

Very much agreed with that last point, even if the goal contributions dropped, Dele was playing some great stuff first half of last season. The performance v Chelsea was one of the best midfielder performances we’ve had from any player in recent times.

I personally think all he needs is a run of games playing off Harry.

He was lethal against Arsenal away in the semifinal of the ADHD Cup.

There’s quality there, no doubt

 

[McFlash]

You sound like a guy that has a personal issue with Dele. If you don't like him then fine but don't make up stuff to satisfy your agenda. It's not nice. Real supporters back our players during dips in form because otherwise we don't deserve to celebrate when they get back to their normal class my friend. You are talking about a player that has started for England in the WC and the Euros and yet you don't think he has any quality. I say that perhaps you don't actually know what you are looking at because top levels managers have spoken his praise, Xavi and other ex-top players said he would be welcomed in the biggest teams in Europe, and as ITK has alluded to there are many conversations about Dele and offers sliding across DL's desk. Perhaps some of those guys can chime in here to stop this nonsense you are spouting.

I'm not sure they read SC, tbf.

 

[dontcallme]

With what as being said such as "he has no speed " and " he has poor ball control " and " he is not powerful enough " and " he has no football brain " and " he is not fit enough " and " his off field activity is affecting his play " ye gods how did this man who has played in a World Cup the european championship the champions league and the premiership ever become a professional footballer I don't know .
But what I do know is the knives are out for Deli and its because of a big dip in form which with hard work he can get back to where he was .
If all the things that are being said about him were true he would never have become a professional player at all .
Time to cut this young man some slack and get off of his back .

Personally I don’t doubt his ability but think he has areas to work on.

I am concerned about his focus right now though.

 

[double0]

The highlighted word is where your argument fails, he just isn't decisive, he maybe a genius, but until he marries doing the simple stuff brilliantly and the decisive genius stuff at the right time he'll always look a lot less than he should be.

It's premature to say Dele Alli isn't decisive. From the age he broke through at MK Dons to CL finalist thats pretty decisive.
It's simply Dele hasn't been fit once the medical staff can manage that and Alli himself has filled out into a man he'll go on again.