Even though to most it looked like there is no love between once one of the most talented English footballers and once one of the best managers and coaches in the world, Tottenham’s midfielder stated it was great to work with Jose Mourinho.Despite his down-form at Tottenham under the club’s former manager, Dele Alli insists he holds no hard feelings towards the new Roma boss.Five years ago, Alli was one of the central players in England’s run to the World Cup semi-final – now he isn’t even in the England squad for the ongoing Euro 2020.Pogba: ‘Mourinho going against his own players’Alli found himself regularly out from the first team set-up under Mourinho, with his appearances only coming in the FA Cup and Europa League.It was documented in the behind-the-scenes Amazon show All or Nothing that Mourinho was frustrated by Alli’s application in training in the early days of his Tottenham tenure. But the 25-year-old admits his ex-manager is not to blame.’The only person I blame is myself,’ he said to Goal. ‘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.’Mourinho gets his “Special One” ice-cream in RomeAs it could be seen early on in the All or Nothing Spurs documentary, Mourinho told Spurs chairman Daniel Levy that Sir Alex Ferguson advised him to sign Alli as soon as possible while he was in the dug-outs of Old Trafford. However, since arriving at Tottenham, Mourinho was overall unimpressed by Alli.’Sir Alex Ferguson gave me only one piece of advice in two-and-a-half years (at Manchester United) – buy Dele Alli,’ Mourinho said, before quoting Ferguson. ‘”That guy, that mentality, the way he plays, the aggression he has in his mind, this guy is a Manchester United player. Buy that guy”. And he has an eye for players.’But he (Alli) is not a good trainer, we need to find the right motivation for the guy.’Dele(te) the old AlliMourinho was on Alli’s case from the first training session at Tottenham.’I’m going to be a pain in the a** on you and you are lucky, you are lucky. When I am a pain in the a** it is a good thing.’ Portuguese yelled at Alli.During their talks in Mourinho’s office – Portuguese tried with a more down-to-earth approach.’I have no doubts about your potential,’ Mourinho told him. ‘I saw you do incredible matches and incredible things. But I always felt you had ups and downs. There is a huge difference between a player that keeps consistency and a player that has moments.##EDITORS_CHOICE##’That is what makes a difference between a top, top player and a player with top potential. It is something you don’t have to share with me, I think it is for you to analyse yourself and to realise why my career has been MK Dons, Tottenham, national team, BANG, you reach the top and then… (gestures up and down with his hands).’I don’t know if it has to be through your lifestyle, if in one period you are an amazing professional and then in another you become a party boy. Only you can know that.’I am 56 now and yesterday, yesterday I was 20. Time flies. And I think one day you do regret if you don’t reach what you can reach.’At one point Alli was incredibly close to re-joining his former manager Mauricio Pochettino at PSG but it all ended with speculations.In April Mourinho was sacked by Tottenham who are now starting their new life under Nuno Espirito Santo. Alli is optimistic while waiting to work under the former Wolves manager and is training hard under the Portuguese sun.Dele via Instagram: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Im ready💪🏽” pic.twitter.com/oZu0myIaw0— The Spurs Web ⚪️ (@thespursweb) July 3, 2021 Just two days ago, Alli shared pictures of himself training alone in Portugal.’He (Nuno) has done a great job at Wolves,’ Alli said. ‘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.’Spurs pre-season preparation will see clashes against Wolves, Leyton Orient and Chelsea. On August 15th, Tottenham’s Premier League season begins when they will host Premier League champions Manchester City.
