Harry Redknapp claims Dele Alli is worth more than Paul Pogba at £100million – and Manchester United blundered by missing a £5m snip under their noses.
In a thought-provoking sequel to Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal’s hit movie, When ‘Arry Met Alli, former Tottenham boss Redknapp says the 20-year-old England midfielder would now cost more than the world-record £90m United shelled out for Pogba last summer if Spurs chose to cash in.
And BT Sport pundit Redknapp reckons his old club are now favourites to win the Europa League – if head coach Mauricio Pochettino is prepared to commit his strongest side, starting with Thursday’s away leg in the last 32 against Gent in Belgium.
The 69-year-old cannot understand why so many big clubs’ scouts ignored a young jewel – especially after Alli helped MK Dons humiliate Louis van Gaal’s United 4-0 in a League Cup tie in August 2014.
He said of Alli: “I think he’s fantastic.
“Can you tell me how all those scouts failed to spot him when he was playing for MK Dons every week? How did they end up waiting until Tottenham came in for him?
“It’s incredible that no-one took him. What a player, what a signing — what a steal at £5m.
“I think he’s worth £100m now – if Pogba’s worth £90m, Alli is worth more.
“He’s just 20 years of age, for heaven’s sake, and the kid’s got everything. He scores goals, makes goals, he can dribble, head it, he’s got an edge to him and puts his foot in… I think he’s fantastic.
“Didn’t he play for MK Dons against Manchester United when they beat them 4-0 in the League Cup? United should have signed him there and then. At least they would have gone home disappointed with the result but they would have had a future star for the club with them on the bus.”
“If they continue to progress, they have got a squad that can win the title in the next year or two — so I’m sure he would want to be part of that.”
But he is less convinced about the wisdom of Tottenham switching their home games in Europe to Wembley this season – a move which backfired, leading to insipid elimination from the Champions League after the group phase.
Redknapp said: “I did warn that playing home games there in Europe would be a massive disadvantage to them.
“It’s such a different atmosphere at White Hart Lane, because the crowd’s on top of you and the noise is tremendous. When you’re at Wembley, the game is slower, there are big, open spaces and it’s just not the same.
“But if Mauricio Pochettino picks his best team, they have got a real chance in the Europa League. If they really want to to win it, Spurs have got the players to do it. They would be my favourites.
“When they put out their strongest XI, I think Tottenham have the best team in the Premier League.
