THE MYSTERY MAN STANDING IN FOR KANE
Mauricio PocHEttino is considering using Dele alli as a striker during Harry kane’s absence after watching Lionel Messi do a similar job for Barcelona on thursday night.
the tottenham boss saw Messi score against Levante in the Spanish cup and is not afraid to deploy midfielder alli as a ‘false nine’.
Pochettino also has Fernando Llorente as an option but could name alli up front against Fulham tomorrow, with kane sidelined until March because of ankleligament damage. ‘i was watching Barcelona and the striker was Leo Messi,’ said Pochettino, who also insisted Spurs can cope without kane, even if they do not sign a new forward this month.
‘You can play Llorente, you can play Dele alli, you can play Erik Lamela, you can play [youth-team players] kazaiah Sterling, troy Parrott. You can play many, many players. Look, chelsea played against us with Eden Hazard like a striker, when olivier Giroud was on the bench and alvaro Morata was out of the squad. ’
on whether alli, 22, can step up during kane’s time out, he continued: ‘He is one of the most exciting youngsters at his age. He is one of the best, if not the best.
‘all that he has achieved, it is amazing when you compare it with other players. i think the contribution of Dele alli is massive in the last few years. Massive.
‘after the tranmere game in the Fa cup, all the headlines were for Fernando Llorente. i need to give Llorente the opportunity to play, no? i am not going to worry about that.’
Pochettino is proud that tottenham have developed alli and kane, but he believes the club need to invest in the squad too.
‘You were able to build two big star players like Dele alli and Harry kane,’ he continued. ‘Why not make the effort to add a few players more? and to help the club step up?
‘ not everything is possible because we built these two stars at the same time we are building the new stadium.’
Meanwhile, Serge aurier will be in the squad tomorrow, despite having been arrested on suspicion of assault.
Police were called to the defender’s home last week and he missed the 1-0 defeat by Manchester united on Sunday. He was released without charge.
Pochettino said: ‘it’s private and we are going to deal with it in a private way.’