ALLI CAN BE ‘SPECIAL’ PLAYER SAYS LALLANA

ADAM Lallana feels Dele Alli can be a “special” player for England, provided he is given time to fulfil his promise.

Lallana and Alli were pushed up as supporting attackers in Wednesday’s 1-0 friendly loss in Germany, turning in eyecatching performances in G a r e t h S o u t h g a t e ’s re-jigged 3-4-2-1 system.

Both players had wonderful chances to put the visitors ahead before half-time in Dortmund — Lallana hitting the post after a fine solo run and the Tottenham man denied by Marc-Andre ter Stegen after going clear in the box.

Although he was frustrated not to do better on that occasion, Alli’s allround performance, full of neat touches and tricks, was hugely promising for a player still three weeks shy of his 21st birthday.

“Dele is special. I love the way he goes about his business: no fear, he’s brave,” said Lallana.

“That’s what makes him ‘him’. All players have different attitudes t hat make them what they are and that’s why he is unique and a special talent.

“But people still need to be patient with him. He is still a young boy and performing how he does is way above his years.

“It is important that we don’t get carried away.”

England started with a back three for the first time in 11 years at Signal Iduna Pa r k bu t the tactical experiment could not stop L u k a s Po d o l s k i from scoring for the hosts.