---
title: "Exclusive: Spurs legend Gary Mabbutt tips Dele Alli to follow Tanguy Ndombele’s footsteps"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/exclusive-spurs-legend-gary-mabbutt-tips-dele-alli-to-follow-tanguy-ndombeles-footsteps-e10/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Nathan Linley"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2020-11-28T20:30:51Z"
modified: "2020-11-28T20:30:51Z"
---

# Exclusive: Spurs legend Gary Mabbutt tips Dele Alli to follow Tanguy Ndombele’s footsteps

**[Tottenham Hotspur](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/tottenham/) icon Gary Mabbutt has backed Dele Alli to follow in the footsteps of teammate Tanguy Ndombele in turning his future under Jose Mourinho around.**

### Alli to use Ndombele influence?

The 24-year-old has found himself [exiled](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/131519/Show/Dele-Alli) by manager Jose Mourinho during the current campaign, with Spurs sitting top of the Premier League table before the weekend’s action.

So far, Alli has only played [67](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/131519/Show/Dele-Alli) minutes of league football with [one](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/131519/Show/Dele-Alli) start to his name, as opposed to the 25 outings he made during the 2019/20 campaign ([Whoscored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/131519/History/Dele-Alli)).

The England international has his supporters – former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino previously described him as a “beast” during the latter stages of his time at the club (via [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/11587495/dele-alli-is-a-beast-says-tottenham-boss-mauricio-pochettino)), while Mourinho himself even hailed him as “[fantastic](https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/11095/11874148/dele-alli-tottenham-boss-jose-mourinho-hails-fantastic-in-form-midfielder)” last season.

But his teammate, Ndombele, has found himself in the Portuguese tactician’s good books once more following public criticism during his side’s 1-1 draw against Burnley last term (via [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/51782616)).

\[freshpress-quiz id=”289202″\]

The Frenchman has featured in all nine of Tottenham’s league games so far, scoring once and accumulating pass success rate of 82.2% ([Whoscored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/321389/Show/Tanguy-Ndombele)).

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Mabbutt, who made [629](https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=4674) appearances for Spurs, revealed his faith in Alli to replicate the turnaround Ndombele has managed to achieve.

When asked whether Alli could follow the former Lyon star’s path, Mabbutt said: “A number of players have turned it around at the club. I see no reason at all Dele can’t do that.

“He’s got the ability. He’s got the qualities. And hopefully, we’ll see him back in the squad soon.”

### Transfer Tavern Verdict

It’s difficult to disagree with what Mabbutt said. Alli most certainly has the technical ability and football brain to get himself back into the first-team if he is operating at 100 per cent.

It will be a challenge for Alli, for sure. Nevertheless, he will know deep down what he needs to do and can change Mourinho’s mind with a string of solid performances in the next few weeks. Ndombele 2.0 perhaps?

***And in other news, [Tottenham ‘mainstay’ tipped to move to PL rivals in January](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-transfer-rumours/tottenham-hotspur-frank-mcavennie-tips-dele-alli-to-leave-spurs-for-everton-in-january/).***