Nev the only pundit to snub Alli as Young Player of Year

Matt Stead

Gary Neville believes Leroy Sane, not Dele Alli, deserves to be named Premier League Young Player of the Season.

Alli has been one of Tottenham’s standout performers over the last two seasons, but has been in outstanding form this campaign.

The 21-year-old has scored 19 goals and assisted a further 10 in all competitions, with Spurs sitting second in the Premier League table.

He is the overwhelming favourite to be named Young Player of the Season for a second consecutive year, but Neville has other ideas.

Of the six pundits Sky Sports asked, the Manchester United legend was the only one to back someone other than Alli.

 

“It’s between Dele Alli and Leroy Sane, but with Alli we know him and he’s been in the league for a couple of seasons,” Neville said, fresh from being the only pundit not to back Antonio Conte as Manager of the Season.

“For Sane to come into the league and make the impact he has, it looks like he’s going to be really special.”

Jamie Carragher explained his backing of Alli by comparing him to former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard.

“Easy for me that,” he said. “One day we’ll be talking about him winning Player of the Year, no doubt. I think Steven Gerrard won Young Player of the Year at that age as well and then went on to win Player of the Year, and I see little difference with Alli when I see him play.

“He’s getting to that stage now already where he wouldn’t be that far away from being Player of the Year, I think that’s always a great sign for a young player.”

Graeme Souness, Alan Smith and Niall Quinn also stated Conte’s case, as did Thierry Henry, who simply added: “I don’t know why he’s still in this category! But Dele Alli should win that.”