This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Ladies and gentleman, Dele Alli is back, and it all seemed to take was one roll of the dice from a certain Jose Mourinho.
The very fact the Portuguese is now at the helm seems rather mesmeric in itself, but it wasn’t just the new head coach and Daniel Levy that were turning heads last week.
Alli was also at the forefront as he was given renewed license by Mourinho that saw his swagger return at the London Stadium when Spurs beat West Ham 3-2.
The England international’s drive and desire was there for all to see. His involvement in Lucas Moura’s goal was sublime, somehow keeping the ball in play on the left flank and then setting Heung-Min Son free to tee up the Brazilian.
It was a moment of class from an £81m-rated player that had stagnated under Mauricio Pochettino. He was the manager to bring him through, but it was under the Argentine that he eventually stuttered and came to a standstill like an old race car.
His fuel was limited and despite his tender age of 23, he’d run out of mileage – contributing to just three goals before Pochettino’s sacking.
But with some premium diesel pumped back into him under Mourinho, he was reinvigorated last weekend and against Olympiacos. His goal and return to form can only spell bad news for Christian Eriksen.
The new Spurs boss has made it clear that the Dane loves Tottenham. Whether you agree with that is another matter but with his future unclear for a period of time now, there is the possibility of a fresh start under Mourinho.
Neglected by Pochettino, someone that admitted Eriksen could leave in the summer, the attacking midfielder has scored just one goal in 11 Premier League outings this term.
It follows an impressive campaign where he scored eight and assisted 12. However, it’s clear that his mental attitude hasn’t been in the right place.
Next summer, the 27-year-old’s contract will be up. An extension has seemed unlikely for a period of time but if Alli now continues his run of form, it could be the final nail in the coffin for the Denmark international.
He can also play out wide but both Son and Lucas scored in their first games under Mourinho. The front four thrived and on first glance, it seems difficult to envisage how Eriksen gets back in.
If his future wasn’t already up in the air, it certainly will be now.
Meanwhile, check out how Spurs fans reacted to a potential swap deal involving Gareth Bale…