DELE ALLI was once again dropped from the Tottenham squad on Sunday – despite the increase in substitutes allowed.
Premier League clubs have been battling over the number of substitutions allowed per game and decided in midweek to expand the size of benches to nine players.
Dele Alli was left off the bench for the weekend defeat to LeicesterCredit: Getty Images – Getty
However, Jose Mourinho still did not pick Dele, 24, for Sunday’s clash with Leicester.
It was the 11th time the midfielder had been left out of a domestic matchday squad this season.
And it ended a run of late sub outings in recent weeks, against both Crystal Palace and Liverpool.
Those appearances came amid late goals going against Spurs, who were beaten 2-0 by Leicester on Sunday.
Mourinho opted for just one central midfielder on the bench with Harry Winks entering the action after 64 minutes.
The snub of Dele will heighten talk of the England international’s exit from the club.
Everton were the most recent team linked with a January bid after an autumn move to Paris Saint-Germain fell through.
Earlier in December, Mourinho insisted that there is no issue between himself and the player.
Jose Mourinho had deployed Dele off the bench in recent matches against Crystal Palace and LiverpoolCredit: AFP
He declared: “I don’t have any problem with Dele, I don’t have any problem with any one of the players. It’s not about that.
“I’m really happy I don’t have personal issues with any one of my players.
“But of course players are happier when they play, they’re not happy when they don’t play. I don’t blame the players, it’s just the way it is.
“Again there is only one way to improve their situation, which is to work hard every day and to use every minute they’re on the pitch to try to improve their situation.
“But fundamentally the concept that is above everything is that the team is more important than any one of us.”
Some see Dele’s departure as inevitable with ex-Tottenham man Danny Murphy believing a loan deal is not the ideal option next month.
If Jose doesn’t fancy Dele, sending him out on loan is just delaying the inevitable, isn’t it?
Danny Murphy
He told talkSPORT: “My gut feeling is that Mourinho doesn’t fancy him, it’s as simple as that.
“He’s got [Giovani] Lo Celso, he’s got[Tanguy] Ndombele, he’s getting a tune out of him. That kick up the backside he gave him worked, fair play to Jose, he managed that well.
“If he doesn’t fancy him, sending him out on loan is just delaying the inevitable, isn’t it? Unless you’re thinking about the asset and getting him in the shop window.”
Jose Mourinho insists it is not up to him whether Dele Alli is sold in January amid PSG transfer links
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
