Tottenham’s Dele Alli is learning how to control his temper during matches.
One of the biggest losses last season for Tottenham happened when Dele Alli got suspended for punching West Bromwich Albion’s Claudio Yacob.
It wasn’t surprising to see Alli lose his cool during the match since Spurs were fighting for a win to keep pace with Leicester City in the Premier League title race.
Alli’s fiery trait is a key attribute he posses.
It goes along with his flamboyant skills that makes him stand out in a good way on the pitch. Off the field, he seems almost shy and soft-spoken.
Though for as much as he should be applauded for standing his ground against Claudio Yacob, it was only a matter of time until the Football Association decided to clamp down on Dele Alli’s actions.
Throughout the season last year, Alli was involved in multiple incidents that saw him do minor things to opposing players.
Eventually they added up and the FA decided enough was enough.
Alli is a repeat offender sure, but he has only been banned once which is the key statistic here. Opponents knew that if they riled him up, he would retaliate and it would cost him and Tottenham.
Dele Alli’s absence — along with Mousa Dembélé’s own suspension against Chelsea — hurt Spurs as they would end the 2015-16 campaign without a win.
Since getting banned, the England international knew he had to change how he reacted during games.
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“I have made a few mistakes with my temper, but I have learned from that,” Alli said (via Mirror).
“The manager has spoken to me and I realise I can’t do those kind of things and need to keep them under control.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m the finished article, I still have a lot to learn and can keep improving.”
“I’m just going to keep working hard on and off the training field.”
Mauricio Pochettino has stated that he doesn’t mind his players showing an aggressive side to them. In fact, he welcomes it.
Partially because he had a nasty streak himself as a former player. But eventually, his players must know when they’re going too far.
An example would be playing against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on May 2nd.
Spurs committed a league-record of nine yellow cards during the match. However, that wasn’t the bad part. Getting involved in off-the-ball incidents that produced a couple of scuffles were though.
Moving forward, Dele Alli can learn how to control his temper, or channel his aggression better, but completely losing that part of him wouldn’t make him the same player anymore.
Spurs may be a young team and are hungry to win a trophy, but what makes them fun to watch besides their attacking brand of football, is how they aren’t easily pushed around.
A big part of that aggressive side involves Alli and how he challenges opponents each game.
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