THRILL TO BE WINNING LION
TOTTENHAM star Dele Alli believes there are exciting times ahead for both club and country.
England have kept the feelgood factor going by qualifying for next summer’s Nations League semi-finals on the back of reaching the last four of the World Cup in Russia with boss Gareth Southgate.
The Three Lions will discover their opponents – from fellow qualifiers Holland, Switzerland and hosts Portugal – in tomorrow’s Dublin draw for the knockout tournament.
Dele said: “It would mean a lot to win it. We had a great World Cup. It was disappointing that we didn’t get to the final or win it because that’s what we went there for.
“To get so close was hard, but you can see from the reaction when we got through how much it means to us to be into the semifinals again.
“It is going to be difficult [to win it], but we are looking forward to it and it is an exciting time for Tottenham and England.
“It feels very similar, we have got a good, young team, heading in the right direction, so it’s exciting.”
Among the challenges coming up for Spurs, after today’s north London derby, is a Champions League trip to Barcelona.
Having looked dead and buried in their group, Mauricio Pochettino (left) and Spurs have dug out back-to-back wins against PSV and Inter Milan.
Now they need a win at the home of Lionel Messi and Co in nine days to guarantee a knockout stage place.
Dele said: “We are going to Barcelona with the belief that we can beat them.
“We played very well in the game at our place and it gives us hope, going to theirs. We know how good they are, but we created a lot of chances.
“It is going to be difficult – but we believe.”