Poch: Alli’s the greatest

MAURICIO POCHETTINO has hit back at criticism of Dele Alli by claiming the Tottenham midfielder is the best player in the world for his age. Pochettino says he finds it baffling that the 21-year-old has been criticised for a lack of consistency and his diving antics. The Tottenham manager, whose side are away to Swansea in the FA Cup quarter-finals tomorrow, said: ‘When you compare him, Dele Alli, 21 years old, with all the players in the world, not only in Europe, in the world, I think he is the best. In his age. In his form. Assists and everything. Tell me one better than him. He is amazing and a fantastic player. ‘I don’t understand why there is still that feeling to criticise him. For me he is the best because he is my player and maybe I am not objective. But that is my point of view. Maybe it’s not important for the people who criticise him to listen to me because I am only a simple coach. But I promise you, I am the most critical person with my players and it is difficult to criticise Dele.’