MX23RW : Monday, July 1 15:50:13| >> :120:4954:4954:

Dele Alli taking inspiration from Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard

Dele Alli taking inspiration from Gerrard
© SilverHub
Dele Alli admits that he "does not feel comfortable" playing alongside Harry Kane in attack and instead prefers a slightly deeper advanced midfield role.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli has stressed that central midfield remains the position for him, despite recently being given licence to play further up the field.

The England international is in the running for the PFA Young Player of the Year award after another impressive campaign, playing a part in 21 Premier League goals.

Alli has particularly stood out in the Lilywhites' 3-4-2-1 formation, often intertwining with Harry Kane up top, but the 21-year-old sees himself more as a Steven Gerrard type rather than a forward in the making.

"I'm definitely a midfielder," he told Sky Sports News. "When I start playing up top where H (Kane) plays I don't feel comfortable.

"I grew up watching Steven Gerrard a lot and he was a number eight so I'd like to play there but when competition is like it is you play anywhere the manager wants you to. And I can't complain, I'm really am happy where I'm playing.

"The formation we were playing with three at the back gave me a bit more freedom and the chance to get more goals. Sometimes I have to make runs to get in behind H and give him a bit more room to get shots off and stuff like that. But, as I say, I'm definitely a midfielder."

Alli has found the net 20 times for Spurs in all competitions this term, compared to 11 in his breakthrough campaign last time out.

ID:296027: cacheID:296027:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2409:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Mauricio Pochettino shouts during the Premier League game between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton on March 19, 2017
Read Next:
Pochettino: 'Alli should be up for main award'
>
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Monday, July 1
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, July 2
 
8pm
Friday, July 5
 
5pm
Quarter-Finals
Spain
vs.
Germany
Saturday, July 6
 
5pm
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!