Roy’s Dele swoop warning
CRYSTAL PALACE manager Roy Hodgson believes top clubs are all ready to pounce on Spurs star Dele Alli.
The former England boss claims he can be one of the best midfielders in Europe and feels Tottenham have a fight on their hands to keep him.
Hodgson was in the crowd at Wembley on Wednesday night on a scouting trip before today’s game and was bowled over by Alli, 21, and Spurs.
He said: “I was talking to Sir Alex Ferguson before the Euros and he said Alli can be one of the best in Europe.
“If you talk about the top midfielders in Europe right now then he would be in the reckoning.
“Spurs won’t want to let him go and it would only be one of the top clubs like Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich who could consider buying him.”
Hodgson hopes his Palace side won’t be overawed by playing Spurs and said: “They might be at different ends of the table but my players are still proud of their abilities. “If it turns out that they are too good for us we will hold our hands up. But we will go out thinking we are going to beat these and let’s see what happens.” Apr 2017: C Palace 0 Tottenham 1 Aug 2016: Tottenham 1 C Palace 0 Feb 2016: Tottenham 0 C Palace 1 Jan 2016: C Palace 1 Tottenham 3 Sep 2015: Tottenham 1 C Palace 0
Tottenham – 22 wins C Palace – 9 wins Draws – 13 Apr 2017: Arsenal 2 Man City 1 Apr 2017: Arsenal 2 Man City 2 Dec 2016: Man City 2 Arsenal 1 May 2016: Man City 2 Arsenal 2 Dec 2015: Arsenal 2 Man City 1
Man City – 50 wins Arsenal – 97 wins Draws – 45 READY TO ROAR: Ozil is getting back to his best The playmaker has been desperately short of confidence and form throughout 2017, failing to live up to the high standards he set during his first three seasons with the club.
His alarming personal dip has been particularly evident on the road – with Ozil’s contribution virtually nonexistent once he sets foot outside The Emirates.
Indeed, until the recent 5-2 win at Everton, the former Real Madrid ace had managed just two away goals and one away assist during the calendar year.
Yet, having watched him improve those stats in a great 90 minutes at Goodison Park, Wenger now believes Ozil is once again approaching his sublime best.
And while the mercurial midfielder is regularly accused of going missing in major games, the Arsenal boss is backing him to turn up today when they travel to Premier League leaders Manchester City.
Wenger axed Ozil for the Gunners’ goalless draw at Chelsea in September – a performance that won his outfit rave reviews from the critics.
But the Germany international, 29, looks certain to start against Pep Guardiola’s unbeaten flyers.
Dismissing the idea Ozil lacks the stomach for a crunch clash, Wenger said: “Yes, of course, he is able to relish this type of game.
“Big players always want to play in the big games – and City is definitely one of these.
“And I would say Mesut is in very good shape at the moment, physically and mentally.”
Ozil is out of contract at the end of the season and