POCH: DELE’S TOP LION, GARETH

MAURICIO POCHETTINO has warned Gareth Southgate: Don’t forget Dele Alli. The England boss has been watching exciting Chelsea teenager Mason Mount, while Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho have also been outstanding in midweek.

But Pochettino insists 22-year-old Alli remains the cream of the crop.

Southgate picks his squad for the games against Croatia and Spain next week and the Spurs boss reminded him: “Dele is a top player.

“Other players still need to show what they can do, Dele is higher than them. He is one of the best in England and in Europe in his position. I hope the experience of being captain for the first time will help him to improve even more.”

Alli (right) enjoyed a dream return to his boyhood club MK Dons on Wednesday night, scoring two penalties in the Carabao Cup thirdround win over Watford.

He was named Spurs captain for the first time, in the absence of Harry Kane, and later joked that his team-mates did not like his pre-match speech.

But Pochettino said: “He spoke from the heart and I like that. I can’t tell you what he said, but he was very good.

“He was so excited before the game. He was back in his hometown, at his old stadium. It was fantastic for him, so I made him captain.”