---
title: "Tottenham: Dele Alli urged to leave Spurs"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-spurs-dele-alli-kevin-phillips-milton-keynes-dons-aston-villa/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "jonathan radcliffe"
section: "Features"
published: "2021-10-04T11:40:43Z"
modified: "2021-10-04T11:40:43Z"
---

# Tottenham: Dele Alli urged to leave Spurs

**Former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips has urged Dele Alli to leave Tottenham Hotspur to kickstart his career again.**

### **The Lowdown: Alli struggling**

The 25-year-old’s hopes of making a real impression under Nuno Espirito Santo were dealt a blow on Sunday as Spurs hosted Aston Villa.

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The [£27m-valued](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dele-alli/marktwertverlauf/spieler/207929) midfielder started the three previous Premier League matches ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dele-alli/leistungsdaten/spieler/207929)), all of which ended in defeat for Tottenham. However, without him in the starting line-up against the Villans, Tottenham picked up an important 2-1 victory.

### The Latest: Phillips urges Alli departure

Speaking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/dele-alli-tipped-to-push-for-tottenham-exit-after-what-pundit-has-just-seen-today/), Phillips urged Alli to move on from the north London club. The [Sky Sports pundit](https://icdb.tv/stats/3186/Kevin-Phillips) said:

> *“I don’t think he’s been the same player for the last couple of seasons, I have to be honest.*
>
> *“In my own personal opinion, I don’t think Tottenham fans would want to see him leave.*
>
> *“But I think it might be that time where he needs a fresh challenge to get the best out of Dele Alli.*
>
> *“For me, when he plays, he never looks happy. I never see that smile on his face. He’s got his shoulders up, his chest out.*
>
> *“Maybe a fresh challenge, you’d have to ask the player. There’s certainly a talent there.*
>
> *“When you are Dele Alli and you’re not performing, things aren’t going well, ultimately you are going to come in for criticism.*
>
> *“Harry Kane did earlier in the season when he wasn’t scoring goals.*
>
> *“Part of me thinks maybe he feels a fresh challenge, a new club, might just reignite his career. Get him back to where he was a couple of seasons ago.”*

### **The Verdict: New start needed**

For a while now, Alli has failed to live up to the high standards he had previous set. Last season, he made just [15](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dele-alli/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/207929) appearances in the league, only managing to provide one assist.

In the past, he has admitted he is unable to do the things he previously could, and he looks a shadow of the talent who burst onto the scene after joining from MK Dons and later scored [22 goals in one season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dele-alli/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/207929) for Tottenham.

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Right now, it looks unlikely that he will resurrect his career with Spurs. A fresh start, without the same expectations and pressure, could well enable him to find his best level. In January and next summer, questions will be asked about his future – it remains to be seen whether he stays in north London or takes Phillips’ advice and tries to reignite his career elsewhere.

***In other news, [this man turned down the chance to manage Spurs in the summer.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-hotspur-news/tottenham-spurs-graham-potter-nuno-espirito-santo-daniel-levy-brighton/)***