Alli staying grounded despite England excellence

Alli and Dier enjoyed memorable full debuts in England’s 2-0 victory over France on Tuesday.

England’s Dele Alli scores his side’s first goal during the worldwide friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London.

“It was important that we showed we are here for them and thinking about what happened”, Alli said of the tributes to the Paris victims at Wembley. Personally I don’t think there is anything to gain from bringing someone in for one game and not looking to the future.

“I thought apart from his goal, which he will be obviously be remembered for, his whole performance throughout the game was first class”.

Alli remains “grateful even to get the call up” and plans to frame Tuesday’s matchday shirt after his England team-mates all signed it.

The 19-year-old was handed his first start for the Three Lions by Roy Hodgson against France, and he looked at ease with the surroundings.

Rodgers received regular updates on the midfielder from MK Dons boss Karl Robinson, who had previously coached at Liverpool’s Kirkby Academy, and compared Alli to Gerrard.

“It’s a great thing for the manager, you know?”

“I’m not suggesting everyone has to do that of course, that is ridiculous, but a lot more water needed to go under the bridge before you got a cap”.

Spurs bought Dier and Alli from Sporting Lisbon and MK Dons respectively last season while Ryan Mason and Harry Kane have been promoted from the club’s academy. “He puts a lot of trust into youngsters and I think it shows”, he said.

“We’re all playing well at the minute at Tottenham and we’re just going to keep focused and keep trying to improve”.