Mauricio Pochettino allayed fears over Dele Alli’s potential injury, saying that the Tottenham midfielder “didn’t feel a big problem” against Everton. He also revealed that Alli’s substitution after 45 minutes was more a “precaution” than a “big issue” and hopes the in-form midfielder is “going to be okay”. Tottenham can’t afford any more injuries around Christmas as the games come thick and fast until 2019 comes – Bournemouth on December 26, Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 29, Cardiff City on January 1, 2019.
Alli hobbled off after 45 minutes in Spurs’ 6-2 win over Everton on Sunday and was replaced by Erik Lamela who bagged himself an assist at Goodison Park. Alli scored on the day, created a chance and made 26 passes in the first-half. He’ll be hoping to feature against Bournemouth on Wednesday, but Pochettino won’t know for certain if that’s possible until he’s looked at.
The Tottenham manager said to Sky Sports: “He didn’t feel a big problem. I think he was a little tired from Wednesday. I think it’s not a big issue and it was more of a precaution”. Pochettino later reiterated to Spurs TV: “I think he’s going to be okay and we hope it’s not a big issue, but we need to assess him (on Monday)”. Alli’s absence could see Pochettino make a change to his formation for next Wednesday, reverting from 4-1-2-1-2 to a 4-2-3-1.
With no Eric Dier and potentially no Alli for their meeting with the Cherries, Christian Eriksen might operate in the attacking-midfield role with Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko in a deep-lying position.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
‘Absolute beast’ – some fans praise Tottenham’s man-mountain after Everton win