Tottenham: Michael Dawson backs Dele Alli to become vital player for club and country

Former Tottenham Hotspur favourite Michael Dawson has hailed the "unbelievable" rise of Dele Alli, predicting the midfielder to have a vital role to play for both club and country in the coming years. Alli, who signed a deal with Spurs in January 2014 before seeing out the remainder of last season with hometown club MK Dons, has made an instant impact at White Hart Lane.

Having immediately become part of Mauricio Pochettino's first-team plans, the 19-year-old has started eight games for his club this season having also been rewarded with a maiden England call up in October, coming off the bench twice against Estonia and Lithuania.

Having seen Alli taking the transition from League One football to life in the Premier League in his stride, Dawson has backed the teenager to continue his swift march to the top. "It is unbelievable where he has come from, from League One and getting MK Dons promoted last year," Dawson told Talksport.

"Speaking to people around the club, you hear that even at the age of 18 he was the best player on the pitch. And now for him to step and up and play 10 games in the Premier League and getting an England cap too, it is a credit to him and his talent. He is going to be a very important player for England for Spurs in the future."

Alli signed a five-and-a-half year deal at White Hart Lane in January for a reported initial fee of £5m ($8m). Tottenham have lost just one game this season, on the opening day away to Manchester United, with their 5-1 thrashing of Bournemouth on Sunday 25 October moving the club to within three points off the top four.