Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Ian Wright explains why 2015 Tottenham signing ‘has to have a role’

Dele Alli and Harry Kane competing for the ball

Ian Wright has urged Nuno Espirito Santo to give Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli a regular run to improve his side’s goals output.

The 25-year-old has been in and out of the Spurs side for the last few seasons. However, having started the season in Nuno’s first XI, he found himself back on the bench for the league win over Aston Villa just before the international break.

Alli was an outstanding presence in Mauricio Pochettino’s side when he burst onto the scene in 2015, after signing from MK Dons.

His ability to score goals after arriving late in the box was allied with his creativeness as Tottenham challenged for the Premier League title under the Argentine.

But his game has dropped off significantly over the past few years. Despite that, Wright feels Alli needs to be playing alongside Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min to provide more of a goal threat.

He told the Kelly and Wrighty Show:  “You have to put faith in Dele. You do need a midfielder who can pick him out when he does arrive late. He does get into the box and he can score.

Spurs and West Ham to battle in the summer for England U21 goalkeeper Etienne Green

Spurs and West Ham to battle in the summer for England U21 goalkeeper Etienne Green

Spurs and West Ham will reportedly battle in the summer for England U21 goalkeeper Etienne Green, with more updates on Lorenzo Insigne and Declan Rice.

“Nuno, at some stage, has to try and cater for him in that role because, when you look at Tottenham’s goalscorers, yes it’s Son and Harry Kane. It’s not enough. They don’t have enough goals. And Dele Alli scores goals.”

Dele is likely to be on the bench again for Sunday’s trip to Newcastle. However, he may force his way into Nuno’s side due to numerous players being away on international duty.


Give our social media channels a follow – we’re on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram


Tottenham chasing Stoke defender

Meanwhile, Tottenham are the latest club to be interested in signing Stoke defender Harry Souttar, per a report.

According to Football Insider, Spurs join fellow Premier League rivals Everton and Aston Villa, who have also been rumoured to be keeping tabs on the centre-back.

Signing for the Championship side in 2016, Souttar had loan spells at Ross County and Fleetwood before establishing himself in Michael O’Neill’s starting 11 at the start of last season.

Stoke City's Harry Souttar celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game during the Carabao Cup first round match at the Bet365 Stadium

The 22-year-old was then a mainstay in the squad last campaign, featuring 38 times for the Potters.

Due to impressive performances, he penned a new “long-term” contract with the Championship club in February.

The colossus, who stands at 6ft 5in tall, is also a huge threat from set-pieces. He’s notched a staggering six goals in nine games in Australia’s World Cup qualification games albeit against weaker opposition.

“Harry has had a very strong start to the season,” O’Neill told StokeonTrentLive. “He’s obviously playing senior international football and appears to have established himself in the Australia national team. That will obviously generate interest.”

Spurs are no strangers to signing defenders from the Championship. They completed a £11million deal for former Swansea player Joe Roden back in October 2020.

Stoke will find themselves in a very strong position when the January transfer window rolls around.

READ MORE: Nuno confession points to Tottenham unease amid growing exit talk