Evening Standard

Give Alli the armband for now, it’s a risk worth taking

- Tony Evans

GARETH SOUTHGATE needs a captain. The England manager is lucky he inherited a squad full of pace, youth and potential. What the 46-year-old lacks is an obvious leader on the pitch.

Gary Cahill was skipper for the 1-0 defeat by Germany. The 31-year-old was the natural choice in Dortmund but the Chelsea defender is suspended for Sunday’s World Cup Group F match against Lithuania. Joe Hart, the most capped player in the side, is likely to be Southgate’s safe choice as a replacemen­t. A bolder move would be to throw the armband to Dele Alli.

Giving such responsibi­lity to the Tottenham man has its risks. On his last appearance at Wembley, the 20-yearold was sent off before half-time for a shocking, needless tackle as Spurs drew 2-2 against Gent and crashed out of the Europa League.

Little more than a month after this breakdown in discipline that undermined his team’s chances of progressin­g in Europe, it may seem perverse to suggest that Alli be given the responsibi­lity of leading England. Southgate lacks options, though, and the midfielder has many of the attributes required to become a great captain.

The youngster’s ability is obvious. He can provide goals and game-changing, lead-by-example moments of inspiratio­n. Against Germany he was England’s best player in an encouragin­g performanc­e by Southgate’s team.

The occasional flash of nastiness in Alli’s game has not yet flared up while on national service. He has not been booked in 16 appearance­s for England, despite averaging a yellow card every 5.45 games in the Premier League. The mean streak will serve him well if it can be channelled in the right direction.

The best leaders have a ruthlessne­ss about them that creates a shiver of fear among opponents and colleagues alike. There are times when a captain needs to calm his side down. There are other moments when he needs to bully a response out of team-mates.

Alli’s hard-eyed will to win and commitment will be an asset when England’s backs are against the wall.

It will take time for the midfielder to find the right balance between aggression and composure but Southgate’s alternativ­e choices are limited.

The England manager captained each club he played for and understand­s the importance of an on-pitch lieutenant.

The players who are likely to form the core of Southgate’s team at the World Cup next year are Alli, Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Eric Dier and John Stones. None of them are yet 24. It makes sense to give Cahill the armband when the Chelsea man is available. When he is sidelined, Alli is the best option.

Sceptics believe that captaincy is not important. They point to nations like Italy, where the armband is often handed to whoever has the most caps. There is some logic to this. The players who have been around longest have generally seen the most and are equipped to deal with a crisis. Hart has longevity, with 69 caps, but has little else to recommend him.

A goalkeeper operates in a small area of the pitch. His ability to communicat­e with forwards is limited. Hart is also a strident and emotional character — too excitable for some tastes — and not the sort to provide a calming influence for a young team. Rather than go down that route it would be more sensible to let Alli learn on the job.

Southgate has plenty of speed at his fingertips and can benefit from the youthful fearlessne­ss within his squad. If he can find a long-term captain it will be a bonus. Alli can be that leader England need.

Dele’s hard-eyed will to win and commitment will be an asset when England’s backs are against the wall

 ??  ??
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom