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Dele Alli blames himself for lack of game time under Jose Mourinho

Dele Alli blames himself for lack of game time under Mourinho
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Dele Alli insists that he only has himself to blame for his struggles under Jose Mourinho during the Portuguese's time in North London.

Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Dele Alli has taken the blame for being frozen out of the team during Jose Mourinho's short-lived tenure in North London.

The 25-year-old was handed several opportunities to impress in the Europa League but struggled for game time domestically, starting just two Premier League games under Mourinho last term.

Alli's fortunes improved when former teammate Ryan Mason replaced the Portuguese following his sacking, and the midfielder has affirmed that he is grateful for Mourinho's tutelage and is looking ahead to the future with Nuno Espirito Santo.

Speaking to Goal, the playmaker said: "The only person I blame is myself. I should be performing at a level where it is difficult to not put me in the team or not play me. I don't blame anyone but myself. Working with Mourinho was a great experience and one I learned a lot from.

"[Nuno] has done a great job at Wolves. I am looking forward to speaking to him and working with him. He is a great manager and it is exciting times.

"I want to make this year one of the best I have had. A lot of people have said I need to find the form I was in a few years ago. For me, I don't even want to get to that, I want to go past that and reach my full potential to be the best player I can be.

"It has been a tough few years but I have been working hard and analysing what I need to do to get better. I have been training a lot on most days of my holiday. I didn't feel I needed much rest, so it is just training the whole way through.

"Everyone is looking for that extra few per cent, so you have to keep up. I am feeling good and the best I have felt in a long time."

Alli was linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain during his struggles under Mourinho in order to reunite with Mauricio Pochettino, but his deal at Spurs does not expire until 2024.

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Written by
Ben Knapton

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