Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
THE HARDER THEY COME... Poch insists fired-up Dele is relishing City clash at Wembley because the tougher the mission, THE MORE HE LIKES IT
MAURICIO POCHETTINO says Dele Alli is relishing facing Manchester City because he loves doing things the hard way.
The Spurs and England midfielder shrugged off a snub from Gareth Southgate on international duty to score twice at Chelsea two weeks ago.
Alli, who turned 22 this week, is now set to spearhead his club’s bid to beat the Premier League’s runaway leaders.
Pochettino (above) said: “We’ve always told him, he needs a strong opposition to give his best. In terms of his character, when it is easy – when he believes it is easy – he is not interested.
“In training sessions sometimes, if there is no opposition for him to practise finishing, we have to say, ‘Come on Dele, if you have the capacity to score’.
“But if you put opposition in front of him, he scores unbelievable goals. He is a little bit special, a special talent, a special character.
“That is why people talk a lot during the whole season about Dele Alli. He is a special talent, special energy, a special player. He needs to feel the competition.”
Alli has scored 12 times in all competitions this season, with two apiece against Real Madrid and Chelsea, and one against Liverpool.
Despite suggestions he has not been at his best this season, Alli is the fourth-highest assistmaker in the Premier League with 10.
Pochettino has repeatedly defended his rising star over the past two seasons, amid accusations of diving, a lack of discipline and queries over his commitment on England duty.
Alli’s overall statistics in the Premier League – 36 goals and 26 assists in 101 games – are superior to those of Cristiano Ronaldo at the same stage of his career.
The Spurs boss said: “I think you can improve, but you need to be born with this character and this mental strength. Then you need people to help club’s exit from the Champions you improve. If you don’t have League against Liverpool. that from your parents, it’s so Alli said: “Of course that (the difficult. You can improve a way Liverpool played) can little bit, but it’s not a work. City are only human, so thing you can buy they can make mistakes. in the market.” “They are an incredible Alli himself team, with incredible players insists Spurs do all over the pitch, but we are not fear City, going to try to play our football even though they as we always do. are ready for the “When you play against the backlash following other teams in the top six, as the Manchester opposed to the teams in the bottom half, the game is very different.
“The other top-six sides really go at it, both teams want to win, and there is a lot more space on the pitch. There is a lot more attacking play.”