‘Miles behind’ – Exclusive: Pundit blasts Spurs star who failed to take chance v Colchester | OneFootball

EXCLUSIVE

Alan Hutton has blasted Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli for failing to impress against Colchester and says he will be “miles behind” his teammates in terms of fitness.

The former Spurs and Scotland full-back, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, says that Tuesday night League Cup clash against the League Two outfit was the perfect opportunity for the 23-year-old to shine after his recent injury layoff.

Colchester managed to hold the Premier League heavyweights to a 0-0 draw in normal time before coming out on top in the penalty shoot-out to cause a huge upset.

Hutton says Alli was some way off his best against the English minnows and that he is likely a long way behind his teammates in terms of his match fitness.

Hutton told Football Insider: “He’s definitely not been at his best, that’s not for sure. If you pick up an injury in pre-season, you end up miles behind. By the time you get back the boys are flying, they’re fit and you’ve missed a lot.

“I think that’s his problem, he’s missed a lot. He’s come in and out, but they’re also protecting him. If you come back from a hamstring injury, the worst thing you can do is go straight into game, game, game and something goes.

“This was an opportunity for him to really shine against a side he really should be and he just didn’t hit the heights that he wanted to.”

Alli has played three times so far this season, with his outing against Colchester the first time he has completed 90 minutes since the beginning of May.

Only one of his appearances during the current campaign has come in the Premier League, finding himself left out of the matchday squad completely for the defeat to Leicester City.

In other Tottenham news, Darren Bent has blasted one Spurs star who is “all over the place” when speaking to Football Insider.