Astronomical rise of Tottenham star forced Dele Alli out, says Ian Wright

The rise of Son Heung-Min to form at Tottenham was a contributing factor to Dele Alli leaving the club, according to Ian Wright.

Alli and Son both joined in 2015, with Alli returning from a loan spell at previous club MK Dons at a similar time to the signing of Son. Although, the pair had differing rises to form at Spurs.

Alli hit the ground running in his first two seasons in north London. The Englishman bagged 28 goals and 18 assists in his first two top-flight campaigns.

Before turning 21, Alli had contributed to 40 Premier League goals, more than Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard combined at that age.

Son, however, begun to find form in his second season, when he had a direct hand in 25 league goals. He has not finished a season on less than 10 goals since 2015/16.

Wright feels Son’s rise to form had an impact on Alli’s decline, and ultimately his exit from Tottenham on transfer deadline day last month.

“We saw Dele’s rise. Then it kind of went stagnant for him. The problem Dele has is that, with the emergence of Son, who plays as that second striker. It kind of negates Dele,” he said via The Mirror.

“He’s not a ten. He’s not an out-and-out striker and he is in that place where Son has now taken and made his own.”

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Indeed, the blistering form Son has shown time and time again led to Alli being utilised much less. Wright feels that was the right decision by Spurs, given the quality of the South Korean.

“If we are going to be totally honest, he [Son] is better in that position. Dele has been trying to find his way back, in whatever system and whatever manager he has been under.”

Fresh start for Alli at Everton

Alli has been afforded an opportunity to revive his career after the tough past couple of seasons he has endured. The 25-year-old has scored just five goals in the past two seasons, and will want to change that at Everton.

Toffees’ new boss Lampard is excited to be working with the midfielder.

“I’m very excited to have him and Donny [Van de Beek],” he said.

“Alli is a versatile player who can get involved in build-up play. It’s nice to manage someone who occupies similar areas of the field to myself.”

Being managed by one of world football’s elite former midfielders will give Alli a great opportunity to hit form.

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