Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli: 'Keep me out of diving debate'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 17 March 2018

Spurs midfielder Dele Alli suggests that he does not want to become involved in any debate regarding diving, despite twice being booked for simulation this season.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli has said that he would rather focus on his football rather than become involved in debates regarding simulation.

On two occasions during the current campaign, Alli has been booked for diving, and it has been perceived that the England international sometimes looks to win free kicks and penalties too easily in and around the box.

However, while acknowledging that he does not like to be "labelled as a cheat", Alli has attempted to play down the tag and insists that he does not take much notice of people's opinions on the subject.

The 21-year-old told The Mirror: "Nobody wants to be labelled as a cheat. It's an opinion and everyone has a different opinion. I get into the box a lot and round the box, and I'm an attacking player and I get a lot of fouls.

"That's the beauty of football. It's all about opinions, but the main one that matters to me is my family's and my coaches. I'm confident in what I believe in, what they believe in and what the manager sees. There are some that look bad.

"It's different when you are in the action. The one at Crystal Palace, that's the one I saw a lot of reaction to. I was running through and, at the time, all was going through my head was that I didn't want to step on the keeper.

"When you watch it back and people start saying stuff, it can look a lot different. That's why I think it's important that as players, not just about diving, about other stuff too, you don't get too involved in it and just focus on what you are doing."

Alli has scored 10 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions this season.