It's not that long ago that Dele Alli was the second name on the England team sheet behind Harry Kane. After annoying Gareth Southgate in the past week there's an outside chance he won't even make it to Russia.
Last season Dele Alli bagged 18 goals in the Premier League for Spurs, a very good return for a midfielder, even one playing so far up the pitch, and he was one of England's best players too.
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This season the former MK Dons player has not been able to keep up the form and despite having the third most assists in the Premier League form and complaints of his diving have definitely led him to have a worse season this time around.
There's no doubt that on his day Alli remains one of England's most talented players but he didn't start against Netherlands last Friday, just coming on as a sub, when he was expected to then start against Italy days later he didn't even make it on the pitch.
According to the Times it might be because of his actions whilst on the bench in the first game. The paper reports that England management are unhappy with his immature behaviour where he was seen laughing and messing around rather than watching the game on Friday.
The paper also say that Southgate spoke to the 21 year old after training on Monday to inform him that he wouldn't be starting for the second game in a few days and warned him his selection shouldn't be taken for granted.
There's still an outside chance that Alli won't be taken to Russia but at this point it's still likely he'll be in the 23 man squad. The real question at the moment is whether he can get his starting place back of Jesse Lingard and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Both men played well across the two games with the Manchester United midfielder scoring in the Netherlands game and setting up Jamie Vardy in the Italy match.
The management are apparently also worried that the Spurs player struggles to conform to the structures in the way the team lines up.
At the moment it looks like Alli will be starting from the bench, he better not be giggling though.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Spurs, Football News, Russia 2018, England, Dele Alli, Gareth Southgate, World Cup, Jesse Lingard