Is too much football hurting Dele Alli?

Dele Alli’s 2018-19 season has been a bust. Sure, the midfielder has played in 25 matches in all competitions, but he has missed 18 matches as of February 28^th. It has been an incredibly start-stop season with Alli’s body preventing him from getting long runs in the team. Tottenham supporters can follow all of Alli’s appearances and bet with William Hill once he returns.

Alli’s goal return in the Premier League has been good despite his injury issues. But at the end of the season, many Spurs fans will be wondering what could have been with a fully fit Alli. After playing a long and difficult season in 2017-18 followed by the World Cup, Alli’s body is playing havoc with him.

Is too much football hurting Dele Alli and his future at Spurs?

Dele Alli – Time on the sidelines

Alli has missed Tottenham’s last five Premier League games with a hamstring injury. Two of those matches have seen Spurs lose and fall off the title race pace. Although the Premier League title was a long shot post-Christmas, Mauricio Pochettino’s team has lost its chance to lift the championship.

The midfielder hasn’t played since mid-January against Fulham. Pochettino isn’t sure just when Alli will be back in the team. Arsenal are up next in the league followed by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

The real fear for Spurs fans is if Alli will return only to break down quickly once more. Tottenham have one foot in the Champions League quarterfinals, thanks to their recent form. Alli has featured in just three of the team’s seven games in the competition. It is vital he is fit for the competition for Spurs to progress further, but can his body take playing in both the Champions League and Premier League?

Dele Alli – From Durable to Injured

Last season, Alli was as durable as they come. He played 50 times in all competitions for Spurs. Alli appeared in 36 Premier League games alone tallying just under 3,000 playing minutes.

Alli followed up his strong club season with a strong World Cup. He played in five of England’s World Cup matches calculating 364 minutes, running 46.2 kilometres, and scoring one goal.

The Englishman’s injury issues that have kept him sidelined this term began in Russia. He suffered a quad injury in England’s win over Tunisia. Having played 50 club games prior to the event, Alli’s body couldn’t cope with the extra, high-intensity football at the World Cup.

Dele Alli – Injuries Not the Only Issue at Tottenham

In the wake of Tottenham’s two-match losing streak following defeats to Burnley and Chelsea, BT Sports pundits Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand stated Alli should be contacting his agent about his Spurs future.

Pochettino’s recent comments that Tottenham is still 10 years away from winning trophies hasn’t gone down well with some. It is a comment Cole and Ferdinand believe may drive Tottenham’s stars out of the club. Alli is under contract until 2024 after signing an extension in October 2018.

Alli’s body has needed a rest this term. Overuse has caused the midfielder’s muscle injuries and it may not be until next term that Tottenham supporters see his best once more.