Pochettino ‘cannot guarantee’ that Alli will stay

Matt Stead

Mauricio Pochettino admits that he “cannot guarantee” that Dele Alli will still be with Tottenham next season.

Alli has enjoyed a stellar season at White Hart Lane, claiming a second consecutive Young Player of the Season award after helping fire Tottenham to second.

The north London club still have slim hopes of lifting their first Premier League title thanks in part to Alli’s contribution, and a number of elite European sides are thought to have taken an interest.

Manchester City are believed to be one of the frontrunners for his signature, and Pochettino himself admits that anything could happen in the summer.

“I cannot guarantee anything in life,” he said on Tuesday. “The most important thing is to enjoy present and don’t think about future.

“In the future we will take the best decisions for club. After three years you can see how the team is improving every year and all our decisions so far have been good.

“Trust in the club that we will take the best decision to achieve things, to improve next season again. That’s the most important thing.

“We care a lot about club and now we must focus on the present to try to help the team be there if Chelsea drop points.

“It will be special if in the last season at White Hart Lane we win the league. In the next three or four weeks we must give our best.

“We need big efforts from all of us, for the players to try to focus and not think about holidays, rumours, what will happen next season.

“In the last three to four weeks I want a big effort from everyone to achieve. Then we can congratulate everyone and try next season.”