ALLI: SUCCESS IS ON ITS WAY
Alli: Success in Russia has given us all belief & energy to finally win some silverware at club level
DELE ALLI insists Tottenham can become trophy winners on the back of their multi-international World Cup heroics.
Mauricio Pochettino has nine star men who were involved in Russia until the last weekend of the tournament, for Belgium, England and winners France.
Five of them started against Newcastle just a week after ending their holidays – led by Hugo Lloris.
Spurs players came back in such good shape, and raring to go, that Pochettino praised their professionalism after this win.
But Alli, who netted the winner (celebrating above), and Lloris, say the “energy” created by doing so well in Russia will help Spurs kick on to the next level – and that means a club trophy this season.
Alli said: “Every experience is an opportunity for us to learn and improve. The World Cup can have a positive effect.
“We want to keep improving. Every season since I’ve been here we’ve improved as a squad, but we want to start winning things.
“We keep coming close, but it’s getting to the point now where we’ve got to start winning trophies. That’s the next step.”
Asked whether having so many World Cup success stories will help them believe, Alli said: “Every experience is a chance to improve as a player and as a person.
“For some of us, it was our first World Cup and for some, like Hugo, it was the first time they’ve won the World Cup. We’re happy for him and he deserves it.
“He’s a great player and captain. We’re delighted, but now we’re back at Tottenham. We have to keep improving and working together.” Lloris agreed. “Winning the World Cup brought a lot of positive energy and a lot of energy for the future,” he said.
“You could say the England and Belgium players have got back with more hunger because they were so close to the final and the most important trophy of their careers.”
Spurs didn’t need to hit top gear, Jan Vertonghen opening the scoring, with Joselu giving Newcastle hope, before Alli’s winner.
They survived Toon hitting the woodwork twice, through Salomon Rondon and Mo Diame.
Alli says there is no fatigue in Spurs’ ranks. Danny Rose and Kieran Trippier were the only World Cup caps not involved. Alli added: “We feel like we had a good amount of time off. We had some time to rest, but you have to get straight back into it again and make sure you’re back fully fit, keep ticking over. We’re happy to be back. “It’s very important for the rest of the season to build momentum from the start. To start the season as well as you can is very important and the first game is crucial to get momentum going. “St James’ Park is a very tough place to come, their fans are brilliant for them, they keep going until the end. They’ve got a great team with threats all over the pitch. You have to stay switched on and we’re happy we got the points.”