Having missed out on the shortlist for PFA Player of the Year, Dele Alli feels there is still a way to go.
The Tottenham star has had a wonderful season so far, and many were surprised when he narrowly missed out on the shrotlist for the PFA Player of the Year, but he did make it onto the PFA Young player of the Year.
The man himself sat down for an interview with Sky Sports, and claimed that he feels there is a long way for him to go before he can live up to the recent comparisons to the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
“Coming from Milton Keynes, watching them, being a ball boy for them and coming through the academy – scoring that goal was unreal.
“At school the next day, I felt like a little celebrity. Some kids were MK fans and a couple of them wanted me to sign some stuff – it took my attention off maths.”
“Especially in the Premier League, defenders are really switched on, so you almost have to fool them (with your movement) into thinking you’re doing something else.
“For example, Chris (Eriksen) likes one where he puts a bit of whip on it so I look to check back out and the defender still thinks I’m stood next to them.
“That sort of movement start happening naturally but you do have to think about it a bit.”
“Every keeper is different, so you do your research on them and the goalkeeper coach here (Toni Jiminez) is unbelievable at that, he’s always getting it right. If they come out big, if they come out and look for the low ones early, so you can put it over them – there’s different finishes for different keepers.”
Speaking on his preferred position, Alli made it clear he is more comfortable in the middle of the park, as opposed to up front like his team mate Harry Kane.
“I’m definitely a midfielder, when I start playing up top where H (Harry 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.”
“It’s an honour to be put next to those names but I’ve still got so much to achieve before I can even start thinking I’m as good as them.
“They all did so much for their clubs and their country, I think they’re unbelievable players. For me they’re legends and people I look up to massively, so I don’t get carried away with those stats.”
