Dele Alli at Everton

[freeeki]

Given the prices being quoted for other players as was mentioned above, and given that Levy should absolutely be charging a PSG premium, no reason we shouldn’t be asking for £60m tbh

 

[JayB]

I do wonder if hawking him around Europe may be a shock tactic to pull Dele out of his comfort zone and get him snarling again, hungry for the battle on the pitch and not prancing around like he’s owed something. There is a great talent in there and it needs unlocking, if that happens elsewhere then so be it but if he turns it in again after realising he needs to pull his socks up and knuckle down then that’d be a real win.

This has been my thinking as well. Even those quotes from Jose that Dan KP posted could be read in this light. I'm guessing it is the case that we'd be willing to let go of him if the right offer came in, but what club is going to make a bid that Levy would accept given Dele's form over the past two seasons?

In the documentary I was shocked by how childish and immature Dele seems to be. Openly being willing to sell him sends the message loud and clear that he's not indispensable and has to knuckle down and start behaving like a professional if he wants a place in this team. Levy's got to value him at 50m+, and I just can't see a club making that sort of bid, so for me this is most likely mind games.

 

[freeeki]

We have already signed three HG players this window, in fairness...

 

[RichieS]

I'm probably one of Dele's biggest supporters on here and think a lot of the criticism he gets is unfair.

However.

If we're going to play 4-3-3 or potentially even 3-4-3, I just don't know where he fits. He's not going to be a winger under Mourinho, and he hasn't really shown any signs of converting into a central midfielder.

I still believe he's a fantastic second striker who will score a lot of goals, but I've gotta be honest with myself and say I don't think that will be at Spurs under Mourinho anymore.

I think Mourinho has tried to fit Dele into the team but has decided he's not going to play traditional a free-roaming number 10 / second striker anymore and instead with 3 more natural central midfielders.

Basically my thoughts as well. He was at his best in the inside left "half space" constantly switching with Kane and Eriksen. Our days of playing that way are long gone now and the only hope for him is as the most attacking of the 3 CM's in a 4-3-3 (with Højbjerg and Lo Celso covering for him defensively), but Ndombele clearly has a massive headstart on him in that role. I can't see Dele wanting to stick around as a "backup".

 

[Deleted member 27995]

And it's clear Mourinho isn't going anywhere anytime soon with the backing he's been given this window, so for me it's a real shame, but I just don't see it working out now.

I'm proper annoyed Grealish has signed a new contract at Villa because he would have been a perfect home-grown replacement.

Yeah, I think his ability on the ball in the final third and that knack of making defenders commit either drags players out of position or offers the chances of free kicks in dangerous positions - I reckon his style of play on the ball is exactly the kind of creative type Mourinho would like to have.

Any other names spring to mind?

 

[sausage]

Yeah, I think his ability on the ball in the final third and that knack of making defenders commit either drags players out of position or offers the chances of free kicks in dangerous positions - I reckon his style of play on the ball is exactly the kind of creative type Mourinho would like to have.

Any other names spring to mind?

Shelvey

 

[George94]

Yeah, I think his ability on the ball in the final third and that knack of making defenders commit either drags players out of position or offers the chances of free kicks in dangerous positions - I reckon his style of play on the ball is exactly the kind of creative type Mourinho would like to have.

Any other names spring to mind?

Not really home-grown options...

Cantwell at Norwich? Ramsey on loan from Juve? ?

Just anyone but Jesse fucking Lingard!

 

[RichieS]

Yeah, I think his ability on the ball in the final third and that knack of making defenders commit either drags players out of position or offers the chances of free kicks in dangerous positions - I reckon his style of play on the ball is exactly the kind of creative type Mourinho would like to have.

Any other names spring to mind?

Zaniolo's that kind of player isn't he?

 

[Deleted member 27995]

Zaniolo's that kind of player isn't he?

I'm not sure, it's a real shame about that bad injury he picked up though. Big loss for them.

 

[Johnny J]

Accommodating Dele in his best position means changing our shape completely and he's not good enough, at least for now, to warrant that. He can't play in CM, he's not a wide forward, or a striker. He has to basically be given a free role behind the striker and that leaves us short in midfield.

I also don't think he's technically as good as the media and other fans seem to think he is.

He's been a good player for us but maybe a change is best for everyone.

 

[WiganSpur]

Not really home-grown options...

Cantwell at Norwich? Ramsey on loan from Juve? ?

Just anyone but Jesse fucking Lingard!

Brooks?

 

[George94]

Brooks?

Think he's more of a playmaking winger - at least, every time I've seen him play, he's been on the right hand side.

Not sure we need anymore wide players unless we're selling one...

 

[Ben1]

Still be shocked if he goes. Like Ndombele, I cant see any team matching what I imagine Levy would want.

 

[Mr Pink]

Could see the money going towards Ings.

 

[Haddock]

Yeah it's a tough call. I do agree that Dele doesn't fit in to this current Spurs team. But at the same time we haven't played fluid well executed attacking football for ages.

I mean imagine one year from now. Most likely we'll have a squad with much more overall quality with the likes of Reguilon and Doherty as full backs. Ndombele (Hopefully fulfilling his potential), Lo Celso, Bale, Kane. All players with amazing qualities with the ball at their feet. Surely a player like Dele would be an asset in a squad like that? Formations and how they work aren't written in stone.

So whilst I agree that selling Dele makes sort of sense. At least for me it's a tougher call than how some of you describe it.

Anyway, if he's sold it can't be to balance the books. It must be to bring in real proven quality at say CB or ST. Otherwise I don't see the point.

 

[VegasII]

If we sign another Welsh player we’re going to need a ‘Welsh Connection’ poster. Gene Hackman running around Rhyl chasing Taff 1 and all that.

 

[Timberwolf]

Could see the money going towards Ings.

Just don't see why they'd sell him to us, even if we offered 40-50. A 20+ goals a season striker is like gold dust for a team like So'ton and it would be almost impossible for them to replace him even for that money. They'd also hugely increase their chances of getting relegated, which is worth a lot more than 40-50 million in the long run.

(Plus Ings is 28 and would be far too expensive for a backup option).

 

[George94]

Yeah it's a tough call. I do agree that Dele doesn't fit in to this current Spurs team. But at the same time we haven't played fluid well executed attacking football for ages.

So whilst I agree that selling Dele makes sort of sense. At least for me it's a tougher call than how some of you describe it.

Anyway, if he's sold it can't be to balance the books. It must be to bring in real proven quality at say CB or ST. Otherwise I don't see the point.

I completely agree - especially if we sell him to another Premier League team in the top 6, he could potentially win them an extra 9 points a season.

If we sell, it has to be abroad and has to be for a fair price with a sell on clause / buy back option IMO.

Personally, I'll be gutted if he does go.

 

[Mr Pink]

Just don't see why they'd sell him to us, even if we offered 40-50. A 20+ goals a season striker is like gold dust for a team like So'ton and it would be almost impossible for them to replace him even for that money. They'd also hugely increase their chances of getting relegated, which is worth a lot more than 40-50 million in the long run.

(Plus Ings is 28 and would be far too expensive for a backup option).

Just going on Dragon's info, who's been very accurate so far.

 

[Mr Pink]

Just don't see why they'd sell him to us, even if we offered 40-50. A 20+ goals a season striker is like gold dust for a team like So'ton and it would be almost impossible for them to replace him even for that money. They'd also hugely increase their chances of getting relegated, which is worth a lot more than 40-50 million in the long run.

(Plus Ings is 28 and would be far too expensive for a backup option).

But could he play across the front three? A lot more games that way.