Wales defender warns Alli over behaviour

Ian Watson

Wales defender Ben Davies believes Tottenham team-mate Dele Alli will have to be on his best behaviour in Lens.

Alli made a huge impression in his first Premier League campaign last season, playing a key role in Tottenham’s title bid, breaking into the England team and being named PFA Young Player of the Year.

But the 20-year-old’s temperament has also been called into question, with Alli missing the final three games of Spurs’ season after punching West Brom midfielder Claudio Yacob in the stomach.

Spurs full-back Davies says he is a huge admirer of Alli, but admits he runs the risk of being caught up in the atmosphere of Euro 2016’s British derby at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Thursday.

“He has to be careful,” said Davies. “With what he has done this season people are going to be looking at him now, not just for the quality of his football but will be scrutinised for his behaviour as well.

“But that’s part and parcel of his game, it’s what makes him the player he is.

“If he didn’t have that fight in him then he probably wouldn’t be doing what he’s doing at 20 years of age.

“You can have a laugh about it after it’s happened but he’s probably been fortunate that it hasn’t affected his game.

“But he’s also won us games as well and we’re lucky at Spurs to have him.”