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‘Get him doing what he’s good at’: Glenn Hoddle says Nuno isn’t using one Spurs player properly

Giuseppe Labellarte

Tue 28 September 2021 18:45, UK

Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been criticised by Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle for not using Dele Alli properly.

The North Londoners have lost their last three Premier League games, shipping nine goals and scoring just one in that time.

Sunday was a particularly bad day for Spurs, who suffered an embarrassing 3-1 defeat away at rivals Arsenal.

The Gunners put three past Tottenham in the first half, and only Son Heung-min’s second-half goal made the scoreline slighly more respectable.

Alli really struggled for Spurs in the North London derby, barely making any impact on the match, prompting Nuno Espirito Santo to take him off at the break.

Alli is “not a deep-lying player” – Spurs icon Hoddle

Hoddle no longer wants to see the 25-year-old in a deep-lying position in a midfield three, as Nuno has been using him recently.

The Tottenham icon says Alli is a “box threat”, suggesting he should be deployed as a No.10, his usual role.

“For me, Dele Alli is a good player, who has got to get back to playing to his very best as well,” Hoddle said on . “It is not just about Harry Kane.

“He can only do that playing in the right position. He is not a deep-lying player to play in a (midfield) three, he doesn’t collect the ball well in those positions.

“I don’t see him as a passer who is going to hit passes and create for Harry and for Son.

“He needs to play somewhere where is good and dangerous and that is off the front.

“He is a box threat; you get him doing what he’s good at and you get him in the box.”

Next up for Tottenham is a home match with NS Mura in the Europa Conference League on Thursday evening.

And on Sunday, Spurs return to Premier League action as Aston Villa come to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.