Only injury or attitude can stop Dele Alli's sensational rise, says Graeme Souness

Posted Sunday, April 09, 2017 by Skysports.com

Only injury or attitude can stop Dele Alli's sensational rise, says Graeme Souness
Dele Alli celebrates scoring Tottenham's opener against Watford with Jan Vertonghen and Eric Dier

Graeme Souness believes only injury or a lapse in attitude can halt Dele Alli's unrelenting progression to the top of world football.

The England international underlined his claim as one of the brightest young talents in the game with a starring role in Tottenham's 4-0 victory over Watford on Saturday.

After the Hornets had held Spurs in a frustrating opening half hour at White Hart Lane, the 20-year-old, three days before his 21st birthday, opened the scoring in emphatic style with a curling effort from range.

His 16th goal of the season laid the foundations for a resounding win as Spurs moved to within four points of league leaders Chelsea.

On a personal note, Alli's strike was the 40th Premier League goal he has played a hand in, more than Frank Lampard (15), Steven Gerrard (13) and David Beckham (12) had managed by the same point of their illustrious careers combined.

And, after another eye-catching performance, Souness was left in no doubt Alli was destined for the top.

"At 20-years-old, Dele Alli has the world at his feet," Souness told Sky Sports.

"He doesn't look out of place as a star of the Premier League - a league regarded as the hardest to play in with some of world's great players.

"How far can he go? Two things will determine how far he can go.

"If he's unlucky, injuries could play a part, or if he stops turning up every game wanting to learn.

"But he strikes me as someone whose feet are on the ground with the determination to get to the very top.

"This performance against Watford only makes me think even more that he has a real chance of achieving that."

Fellow Sky Sports pundit Niall Quinn was similarly complimentary, labelling Alli's sensational strike as "different class".

"It was a wonderful take from Alli," he added. "He controlled, moved the ball to one side, set the ball outside the post before bringing it down under the bar. It was different class."