Wednesday 4 January 2017 10:09, UK
Mauricio Pochettino has claimed Tottenham's Dele Alli is "the most important emergence for English football in years".
Alli, 20, has built on an impressive breakthrough campaign last season by scoring nine goals in all competitions for Tottenham this term, as well as being on target for England in their World Cup qualifying win over Malta in October.
Tottenham welcome Premier League leaders Chelsea to White Hart Lane on Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports 1, with Alli in a rich vein of form having scored five goals in his last three games, and Pochettino has identified the midfielder's "ruthless" qualities which make him so dangerous.
"He is a player with very aggressive offence, ruthless when going forward and with determination, which makes him extremely dangerous," Pochettino told AS.
"He has a great understanding of the game and masterfully attacks spaces, good mentality and self-confidence.
"He is the most important emergence from English football in recent years."
Pochettino has helped bring through a number of players who are now in the England set-up during his time in charge of both Spurs and Southampton, but has credited their desire to learn as the key factor in their success.
"In the four years we have been in the country we have had the immense luck of working with young players, first in Southampton, with Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Nathaniel Clyne or Calum Chambers, and now in Tottenham," Pochettino said.
"Footballers with talent and desire to grow and learn, and that has been decisive. We have given them the tools to keep growing and can reach the national team."
