World Cup

Darren Anderton: 'Dele Alli must not ignore temperament warnings'

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 07 October 2017

England's Dele Alli could repeat David Beckham's mistake of being sent off at a World Cup unless he heeds the warnings about his temperament, according to Darren Anderton.

Darren Anderton has warned Dele Alli that he could repeat David Beckham's mistake of being sent off at a World Cup by ignoring warnings about his temperament.

The Tottenham Hotspur star is available for England's final qualifier against Lithuania on Sunday after missing Thursday's win over Slovenia through suspension.

Alli was handed a one-match ban by FIFA for making a middle-finger gesture against Slovakia last month which was deemed offensive by the world football governing body.

The 21-year-old also sat out the first three games of Spurs' Champions League campaign following a dangerous tackle made in February.

Former England and Tottenham midfielder Anderton has drawn parallels between Alli and Beckham, who was sent off in the Three Lions' World Cup last-16 defeat to Argentina in 1998.

"I remember Becks was a special talent and he had that bit about him," Anderton told Sky Sports News.

"I remember Glenn Hoddle even warning Becks at Le Tournoi the year before. He got booked in a couple of games for something a bit petulant and Glenn said: 'if you do that next year it could cost us'.

"Now, of course, the next year it happened. I don't say it was down to Becks, I think it was down to poor refereeing and gamesmanship. But Dele needs to listen and be aware it can happen."

England have qualified for Russia 2018 with one game to spare following their 1-0 victory over Slovenia at Wembley.