Pochettino Is Showing He Will Not Let Dele Alli's Standards Drop with Tottenham

Before just about any professional football match, a teamsheet will be handed out in the press box. There were two unusual differences about the ones passed around ahead of Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last Saturday.

The first was the sheet itself was smaller than those previously handed out at White Hart Lane, A5 rather than A4—every penny counts for that new stadium, after all. The second, much more interesting change was Dele Alli's name was not listed in Tottenham's starting XI.

Alli was absent for Spurs' final home match of last season, too. From the preceding September right up until missing that loss against Southampton through suspension, though, the midfielder had been a first-choice fixture.

Speaking after the match with Crystal Palace, Alli's manager Mauricio Pochettino played down anything exceptional being behind his dropping the 2015-16 PFA Young Player of the Year.

The England international's post-Euro 2016 fitness was a factor. "We need to be careful to manage in a very good condition that tries to avoid problems in the future," especially as Alli had been "ill during the week—Tuesday, Wednesday he didn't train."

This information being omitted from his pre-match team news, per Spurs' official website, was probably just Pochettino not wanting to show his Palace counterpart Alan Pardew his full hand. The accompanying additional answers suggested there might have been a little more to it, regardless.

"We cannot play with 12 or 13 players," Pochettino had said. "We want to play with two strikers, it’s impossible we play with all the players that we have."

The selection of both last season's top scorer (and, with Hugo Lloris injured, stand-in captain) Harry Kane along with new striker Vincent Janssen after the latter impressed against Everton did indeed mean someone missed out. Getting a further look at the two of them together was "a natural decision," according to the Argentinian.

Deciding Alli would miss out would not have been a simple choice. His manager reassured him that "it is sure that he will be an important player for us in this season," but even if illness was the persuading factor here, dropping him was still a notable occurrence.

Playing Crystal Palace naturally brought up memories of the then-teenager's stunning goal in Spurs' 3-1 win at Selhurst Park in January (see it again above).

The north Londoners were drawing 1-1 when Alli controlled Christian Eriksen's cushioned header, flicked it over and simultaneously turned Mile Jedinak before volleying past Wayne Hennessey in the bottom corner. The superb strike rightly won BBC's Match of the Day Goal of the Season, but it was just as telling in a Spurs context for demonstrating his general efficiency as his enviable skill.

While a yellow card in his debut against Manchester United the previous August hinted at his more problematic combustibility, the goal off the bench against Leicester City two weeks later was more representative of what was ahead. By the time of that Palace game, Alli had made himself integral to the Spurs cause.

His quick rise to prominence was all the more impressive given a season earlier he had been turning out two tiers lower for Milton Keynes Dons. The lack of fear in his play blended almost perfectly with the team's aggressive style. The resulting combinations with team-mates like Kane, and his own scoring return of 10 goals, thrilled fans who were delighted to be witnessing the rise of an extraordinary young talent.

A costly season-ending suspension after a clash with West Bromwich Albion's Claudio Yacob slightly tarnished Alli's maiden top-flight year somewhat, and his disappointing first major-tournament experience with England at the European Championship denied him the chance to quickly bounce back. Overall, though, the 20-year-old had a lot to be happy with.

Speaking in a post-season interview with Tottenham's official website, Alli reflected on the exceeding of expectations:

"

It's been really good for me and obviously I've been able to learn a lot—it would be hard not to learn a lot when you're playing with this group of players and the manager we've got here.

I knew how good the team was when I signed here, that was probably why I didn't expect to play as much as I have and I knew I was going to have to fight for my place.

"

Alli also referenced his manager's trust in him, grateful to be able to play his football unencumbered. The concluding hope for "many more good times to come" seemed like a given after the year he had.

Pochettino's decision to drop Alli against Crystal Palace in this season's second game—illness or not—may ultimately serve a purpose in keeping his young charge on his toes. Those good times will not arrive if he lets his standards drop.

Coming out with his fellow substitutes to warm up beforehand (a few minutes after the starters), Alli appeared a bit glum.

Maybe it was nothing, but you wonder if he was thinking if he was fit enough to take his place among the replacements, then why could he not have started in the first place? Arguably, he would have had a point tactically here, too.

Eriksen and Erik Lamela were the nominal wide men but spent plenty of the contest looking inward, as is the playmaker's natural inclination. If Pochettino did not think Alli so suited to a wing berth, then he could have started him in central midfield alongside Eric Dier and ahead of new signing Victor Wanyama. Alli had done good work there the preceding autumn before his move into a more advanced role.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

In the immediacy of this match, the change provoked a productive response from Alli, creating a chance for Janssen soon after replacing Eriksen in the 68th minute.

The ball came his way out left after a Kane/Lamela exchange, and he promptly sent the Dutchman through on goal. What looked a glaring miss after the lobbed pass into his path became more excusable when replays confirmed an unhelpful bounce forced an adjustment to the angle of his shot.

Thereafter the typically lively Alli looked to get forward himself as Spurs searched for the lead-taking goal. For several minutes, the ball would not quite drop right for him as the Eagles' defence frantically cleared their lines, before he eventually went close concluding a move he had helped initiate with a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

The travelling Palace fans sang at Alli that he let his country down at Euro 2016, while an off-ball confrontation threatened to break out after one challenge on him. Quickly cooling his temper on the later occasion, he stayed focused on the task of helping his team.

Involved in the attack that led to the corner kick from which Wanyama headed in the winner, Alli responded well to the challenge put forward by his manager (whether it was intentional or otherwise). From here, things could get interesting.

As noted earlier, Pochettino confirmed the obvious when he stated Alli is still a key player for Tottenham.

Every new season is a clean slate, but what the precocious star did in 2015-16 was more special than most standalone campaigns by an individual. It felt more akin to the name-establishing impact of Kane a year prior than the more potential-based encouragement inspired by, say, the still-developing Josh Onomah last time out.

But as seen in his selections against Crystal Palace, there are plenty of factors for Pochettino to think about.

Alex Broadway/Getty Images

Janssen did not score in his first start, but his industrious, relentless effort was remarkable nevertheless. Alli experienced the Dutchman's contribution firsthand when the striker recovered possession after the midfielder lost it in stoppage time.

Others like Eriksen and Lamela were similarly important to Tottenham last season and the latter especially has returned looking like he is eager to raise his form to another level. Accommodating those players, a new-look front two and ensuring central midfield is well-positioned to deal with specific opponents means invariable disappointment for someone (Mousa Dembele's return from suspension will add to Pochettino's selection headache in the latter position).

Liverpool at home on Saturday should, fitness-permitting, see Alli return to the starting line-up. Spurs' toughest opponent so far, his proactive brand of football will be useful in keeping the Reds pinned back and the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge off the ball as much as possible.

However Pochettino sets the team up around Alli, it is an early and ideal opportunity for him to prove again he must be a mainstay no matter the system.

Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.