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Tim Sherwood says Tottenham midfielder is a ‘liability’ after NLD display

Will Butcher

Wed 29 September 2021 19:15, UK

Tim Sherwood has plastered criticism on Dele Alli, labelling the Tottenham star as a “liability” when playing deeper in midfield on

Dele was hooked at half-time during Sunday’s North London derby as Nuno Espirito Santo’s midfield was completely ripped apart by Arsenal.

Nuno chose to field an attacking midfield of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Dele Alli and Tanguy Ndombele. But it left an incredible amount of gaps in midfield.

Oliver Skipp came on at half-time for Dele and Spurs were much improved, with Skipp and Hojbjerg playing behind Ndombele. But they still lost 3-1.

Ex-Tottenham gaffer Sherwood hammered Dele, labelling him a “liability” when he plays deeper in midfield. He thinks Nuno should play him as a 10.

“He runs quicker towards the opposition goal. He’s playing out of position. If you want to play Dele Alli in there, well, don’t play him,”

“Play Dele in his best position as a 10, where is a goal threat. He is a liability in that deeper role. Surely they have someone else for that position?”

Sherwood on Dele: Does he start for Tottenham against Villa?

Spurs have to play against Mura on Thursday evening in the Europa Conference League before facing Dean Smith’s Villa on Sunday afternoon.

Nuno is learning every day about his players and Sunday will have taught him that he needs two holding midfielders – behind a number 10.

But Ndombele, at least before Saturday, had been impressing. Dele’s engine got him by alongside Hojbjerg and Skipp in the early 21-22 fixtures.

On Sunday, he was a liability – as Sherwood says. But he is not being used in his correct position. For Sunday against Villa, should he start?

Well, Nuno needs to combine Skipp and Hojbjerg – and then use a no.10. Does £100k-a-week () Dele get in above Ndombele? Right now, just.