Pochettino: Alli the most important emergence in recent years

The 20-year-old has come in for praise from his manager after an impressive start to the season. Alli has played 24 times for Spurs this campaign, scoring nine goals, including three in his last five.

Alli also enjoyed an excellent maiden Premier League season last year after impressing in League One for former club Milton Keynes Dons and Pochettino hailed Alli's breakthrough.

"He is a player with very aggressive offence, ruthless when going forward and with determination, which makes him extremely dangerous," he told Spanish outlet 'AS'.

"He has a great understanding of the game and masterfully attacks spaces, good mentality and self-confidence. 

"He is the most important emergence from English football in recent years".

Stats suggest that Pochettino may have a point, as Alli, who only turned 20 last April, has impressive stats at such a young age.

While many consider Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes as the most talented midfielders English football has ever seen, Alli's stats after 50 Premier League games are better than the legendary English trio.

After 50 Premier League games, the Spurs star had bagged 16 goals and assisted team-mates on 10 occasions. Manchester United legend Paul Scholes matched Alli for goals after 50 games, but had just three assists to his name. Meanwhile, Lampard had five goals and two assists and Gerrard had just two goals and three assists to his name after 50 games in England's top-flight.

Is Alli on the road to greatness?