Dele Alli will not seek vengeance when he returns to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday night, according to Antonio Conte, who added that players who leave him usually go ‘down, not up’.
As his career stalled under Conte, Alli moved to Everton in the January window. ‘It was a smart decision for the player and the club,’ Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino said of the 25-year-old England striker.
‘I can assure you that during our time together, I tried to get the most out of him.’ He was always accessible in training, but in the end, he made the right decision, and he deserves a lot of credit for what he accomplished for the club’.
’He’s young and has plenty of time to make his own decisions about his career.’
‘Honestly, I don’t remember a player having revenge with me,’ Conte said when asked about Alli’s motivation on Monday night. When some players left, they frequently went down rather than up.’
Meanwhile, Alli’s manager, Frank Lampard, has advised him to be patient, explaining that an improvement in the midfielder’s physical condition is all that is required for him to gain a regular spot in Everton’s lineup.
Alli is yet to make an impact for Everton, but Lampard is confident that he will if he gets into a routine of playing games.
‘He has contributed well in games and assisted the squad when he has come off the bench,’ Lampard remarked.
‘He was particularly impressive against Man City, displaying the kind of discipline that was required in the game. So it’s probably about his health, learning a little about myself and my colleagues, and then integrating into the group.’
‘I don’t believe we need to panic or rush. When we signed Dele, I saw it as a long-term investment because I have such high regard for him as a player.’
‘He’ll have to be patient and wait his turn at the beginning.’