Dele Alli has had a dream debut season for Tottenham Hotspur. The midfielder has helped propel his side to second in the table. In the last decade Spurs have never gone so close to challenging for the title.
But a draw against West Brom have all but ended hopes of winning their first Premier League title since 1961. Still, there should be nothing taken away from Alli’s contribution to his team’s cause.
He will still have a PFA Young player award to cherish even if Spurs don’t win the title.
Here are facts you might not know about the 20-year-old
7) He is a Liverpool fan
Dele Alli might be playing for Tottenham Hotspur but he is a die hard Liverpool fan. The player was born and raised in Milton Keynes but his football fandom lies with the Red side of Merseyside.
Alli’s role model is none other than Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard. In an interview with Complex he even confessed that he used buy his boots based on what boots his icon was wearing at that time. He said, “To be honest, I just tried to get whatever Steven Gerrard was wearing!”
Alli seems to have learnt a lot watching him play and it looks like he’s got the knack for the spectacular like his role model. His screamer against Crystal Palace is great example of that ability.
6) Alli was given up for adoption by his mother
Alli had a tough childhood growing up. His mother put him up for adoption when he was just 13. She admitted in an interview with The Sun she had problems with drugs and alcohol and felt it was the right thing to give him away.
When Alli was 5 he moved to Nigeria with his father but immediately moved back to England within 6 months to live with his mom. In the interview the mother said, “It was tough to give up my son but it proved to be his salvation. I’m so thankful for how things have turned out.”
“When he scored the goal against France I leapt out of my seat — I was so happy. My son has made it by himself. I am so pleased for him and super-proud of everything he has achieved.”
5) Wimbledon striker John Fashanu wanted him to play for Nigeria
Dele Alli is of Nigerian descent and is eligible to represent the African nation. But he decided against it and chose to play for England instead. But that didn’t stop Nigerian and Wimbledon player John Fashanu from trying to convince him to change allegiances
But his efforts were in vain as Alli had already set his heart on playing for England. He was already part of the national U-17 setup as early as 2012. His impressive performances for Spurs this season earned him an England call up in November.
He marked the occasion in style scoring a brilliant 20-yarder against France. Alli has only gone from strength to strength since then, and is a sure shot for Euro 2016.
4) He’s a top driver
Dele Alli only practiced for a single day before his driving test, and he passed it with flying colours. The star actually requested a crash course from the Drive Johnson Driving School before the day of the test.
Alli had failed his first attempt with his previous driving school so decided to just have a 47 minute lesson with his instructor 6 hours before the test. The video has been uploaded on youtube, where All shows how composed he is behind the wheel.
3) He’s best friends with Eric Dier
Eric Dier and Dele Alli form the engine room of that Spurs team. But they also have a great friendship off it. The two stars often share tweets and jokes on social media constantly making fun of each other.
The idea of putting Alli and Der in midfield was Mauricio Pochettino’s and it has benefitted Tottenham and England greatly. Alli has even gone on to consider Dier as his big brother, when he congratulated him after his winner during England’s 3-2 win over Germany.
2) He features in music video
Alli has featured in a music video starring him and a few other Spurs players upon the request of an artist who goes by the name Meridian Dan. He is a rapper and is an ardent Spurs fan.
So when he wanted to make a music video he turned to the club for help and they kindly obliged. Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Kyle Walker, and Erik lamela all appear in the video of the song called ‘Hot for me now’.
In the video Alli shows off his juggling ability and it also includes some of the young stars of Spurs as well.
1) His Spurs’ debut was against one of the biggest clubs on the planet
Dele Alli is no doubt a special talent, and he made everyone aware of that fact with his performance against Real Madrid. Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has come to be known for promoting youth and he saw something special in Alli that made him give the youngster his debut after he reruned from loan.
Playing against lower division teams like Fleetwood town and then suddenly being thrust into a match against the best players in the world can be an intimidating experience but Alli didn't let the occasion overwhelm him
He showed the 70,000 fans in the Allianz arena during that friendly how good he can be by nutmegging Luka Modric, a player whose void Alli now fills.
