Luke Chadwick has told Sports Mole that he never had any doubts over his former teammate Dele Alli's ability to shine in the Premier League.
The 19-year-old agreed a move from the MK Dons to Tottenham Hotspur 12 months ago, although he did not arrive at White Hart Lane until the summer.
There were suggestions at the time that Spurs would initially look to loan out the youngster instead of exposing him to the physical demands of the Premier League straight away.
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However, Alli was included in the starting lineup by head coach Mauricio Pochettino for the clash away at Manchester United on the opening day and since then he has been a virtual ever-present, making 30 appearances in all competitions.
The midfielder's performances have earned widespread praise and his growing reputation was further enhanced by scoring what many consider to have been the Goal of the Season so far away at Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.
Alli's swift adaptation has been a surprise for some, but Chadwick always knew that he would be able to cope in the top flight.
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"Dele started training with us when he was about 15 and then when he left school he came and did pre-season with us. He was already such an athlete then. We already knew how good he was on the ball and knew that he had a chance. He had a bit of arrogance about him as well," said the 35-year-old, who played alongside Alli at the Dons.
"He used to get kicked all over the place in training. I've never seen a player be able to nutmeg other players so easily and he'd get smashed because of it. Most young lads would go into their shell, but he loved it. He'd jump up with a smile on his face and then do it again. He had that swagger of a Premier League player about him.
"I was on holiday in the summer and Spurs were playing a pre-season game against Real Madrid. I looked up at the screen briefly and I saw him nutmeg Luka Modric. Then, I knew he'd have a chance at the start of the season. He's got everything. His technique is superb, he's good on the ball and he has a good engine on him. He's the modern-day midfielder."
The progression has not gone unnoticed by England boss Roy Hodgson either, with Alli picking up four senior caps to date, from which he has scored one goal.
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His place in the squad for the European Championships this summer would appear to already be assured, yet Chadwick has insisted that the goal threat Alli poses should see him nail down a spot in the team, rather than be used as a bit-part player.
"He's got to play, simply because he's a bit different. Without Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, who is going to score a goal from midfield? He's shown he can do that," added the ex-Man United winger.
"There isn't many midfielders in the Premier League that are getting themselves in the box from open play at the moment - Dele is doing that."
Alli recently signed a new contract which has tied him to Spurs until the summer of 2021.
Liam Apicella
