{"id":46133,"date":"2026-04-20T22:18:40","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T02:18:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/20\/35m-star-like-poch-era-dele-alli-could-be-let-go-by-spurs\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T22:18:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T02:18:40","slug":"35m-star-like-poch-era-dele-alli-could-be-let-go-by-spurs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/20\/35m-star-like-poch-era-dele-alli-could-be-let-go-by-spurs\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00a335m star like &#8216;Poch-era Dele Alli&#8217; could be let go by Spurs"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/20\/35m-star-like-poch-era-dele-alli-could-be-let-go-by-spurs\/#How_Spurs_improved_against_Brighton\" >How Spurs improved against Brighton<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/20\/35m-star-like-poch-era-dele-alli-could-be-let-go-by-spurs\/#De_Zerbi_discovers_%E2%80%98Poch-era_Dele_Alli_at_Spurs\" >De Zerbi discovers &#8216;Poch-era Dele Alli&#8217; at Spurs<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/20\/35m-star-like-poch-era-dele-alli-could-be-let-go-by-spurs\/#Spurs_have_acquired_raw_talent_Xavi_Simmons_and_could_let_them_go\" >Spurs have acquired raw talent Xavi Simmons and could let them go<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Tottenham Hotspur cannot afford to falter any further in their fight to avoid relegation from the Premier League.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>Roberto de Zerbi&#8217;s side actually played well against Brighton &#038; Hove Albion on Saturday night, but were still unable to maintain their slim advantage and Georginio Rutter&#8217;s stoppage-time goal, beating Antonin Kinski, forced a draw.<\/p>\n<p>How they will react is the question on every Lily Whites fan&#8217;s mind. Spurs face bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers, then Aston Villa, before taking on relegation rivals Leeds United. The next few weeks are clearly critical.<\/p>\n<p>Tottenham&#8217;s last win in the Premier League was 15 games ago in December &#8211; and after such a poor run of performances, it was good to see De Zerbi get some form out of his players, even if he couldn&#8217;t get a win.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-spurs-improved-vs-brighton\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Spurs_improved_against_Brighton\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>How Spurs improved against Brighton<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Mainly, there was more spirit and initiative in Tottenham&#8217;s performance. Improvements still need to be made, as was painfully clear as the players stood looking dejectedly at the turf after failing to pick up a valuable victory over Nottingham Forest&#8217;s win over Burnley on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>    However, now is not the time to regret missed opportunities as kitchen sink time approaches. De Zerbi will make that clear in training, but he will also point out the progress that was evident against the Seagulls.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the visiting team having more control of the ball (58%), the hosts had a better xG (1.09 vs. 0.82).<\/p>\n<section class=\"emaki-custom-block emaki-custom-note\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<div class=\"emaki-custom note\" id=\"custom_block_10\">\n<div class=\"custom_block-content note\">\n<p>Expected Goals (xG) is a metric designed to measure the probability that a shot will result in a goal.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>The midfield, which had been sluggish, was also revamped, with Rodrygo Bentancur starting and James Maddison starting on the bench following a long-term injury.<\/p>\n<p>But another player looked set to come into his own in the final game and could provide the formula to lift the Londoners out of the relegation zone and into a positive future.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"de-zerbi-has-found-a-quot-poch-era-dele-alli-quot-at-spurs\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"De_Zerbi_discovers_%E2%80%98Poch-era_Dele_Alli_at_Spurs\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>De Zerbi discovers &#8216;Poch-era Dele Alli&#8217; at Spurs<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Conor Gallagher made a big contribution to Tottenham&#8217;s side as they secured a point at the weekend, despite having struggled since joining the club. It was a huge blow, but also a stepping stone to the victory that will surely come in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"2\" scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Conor Gallagher vs Brighton<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>match statistics<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>#<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>Play time (minutes)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>76 minutes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>Goal + Assist<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0+0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>touch<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>42<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>exact path<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>22\/25 (88%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>A big opportunity has arisen<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>Successful. dribble<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>3\/3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>collect<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>Def. contribution<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>intercept<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>won a duel<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>7\/9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>It was close to the all-action style the ENIC group had in mind when he arrived from Atletico Madrid in a \u00a335m package in January. From the first half to the second half, Tottenham had perhaps a bigger threat than their opponents, and Gallagher&#8217;s energy and enthusiasm were a key part of that.<\/p>\n<p>Despite struggling this season, being anonymous at times and often lacking bite and confidence in key moments, De Zerbi has played against Gallagher frequently, suggesting he highly admires the 26-year-old&#8217;s skill set. That opinion will likely remain the same after the draw against Brighton.<\/p>\n<p>He has a lot more to offer. After all, The Athletic&#8217;s Jack Pitt-Brook once described him as &#8220;the Dele Alli of the Poch era&#8221; when he was a Chelsea star.<\/p>\n<p>    It would be an understatement to say that Gallagher&#8217;s performances in recent months have not been reminiscent of Dele in his prime at Tottenham. But he showed against Brighton that he can play with more freedom and progression than we have seen so far.<\/p>\n<p>In his last Premier League campaign, at Stamford Bridge in 2023\/24, he scored five goals and provided seven assists, excelling in a mobile midfield role. He created 11 big chances, won an average of 5.7 duels per game and completed 68% of his dribbles.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s typical of Dele, albeit a lower standard than when the former England international wreaked havoc on Premier League defences.<\/p>\n<p>With Bentancur providing stability in midfield, De Zerbi can now encourage Gallagher to break away from the pragmatism that is perhaps holding him back and play more freely.<\/p>\n<p>Maddison could also fill a Christian Eriksen-like playmaking role, allowing Gallagher to step into dangerous territory and create without assuming primary responsibility.<\/p>\n<p>    Will Gallagher Dele be reborn? No, obviously not. But the ability to move forward and combine combative midfield work with fluid attacking play is what N17 has been lacking this season, and if Gallagher uses this platform to kick on, it could prove all the difference.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                      \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"de-zerbi-must-unleash-xavi-simons-spurs-williams-barnett\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/mixcollage-18-apr-2026-07-49-pm-7720.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/mixcollage-18-apr-2026-07-49-pm-7720.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Spurs_have_acquired_raw_talent_Xavi_Simmons_and_could_let_them_go\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tSpurs have acquired raw talent Xavi Simmons and could let them go<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Roberto De Zerbi must unleash a young Spurs player who could become Xavi Simmons 2.0.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tottenham Hotspur cannot afford to falter any further in their fight to avoid relegation from the Premier League. Roberto de Zerbi&#8217;s side actually played well against Brighton &#038; Hove Albion on Saturday night, but were still unable to maintain their slim advantage and Georginio Rutter&#8217;s stoppage-time goal, beating Antonin Kinski, forced a draw. How they [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46134,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[1528,8854,6335,40,8853,342,86],"class_list":{"0":"post-46133","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-35m","9":"tag-alli","10":"tag-dele","11":"tag-football","12":"tag-pochera","13":"tag-spurs","14":"tag-star"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46133","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46133"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46133\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46134"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46133"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46133"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46133"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}