Mourinho details Alli conversation which could revive Tottenham star’s future

Jose Mourinho appeared to hand Dele Alli a lifeline as he discussed the out-of-favour midfielder's situation at length ahead of Tottenham's clash with Chelsea.

Alli, 24, has not started a Premier League game since the defeat by Everton on the opening day of the season, during which he was hauled off at half-time.

The Englishman has had to settle for appearances in the cup competitions – many of which have come from the bench – and it appeared likely he would leave in the January transfer window.

But Alli's much-touted move to Paris Saint-Germain never materialised and in the aftermath he held talks with Mourinho, during which the Spurs boss claims they found "common ground".

"He needs to recover from his injury, he needs to be back to training, and he needs to have a fresh start because in the last few weeks he couldn't even train so that's the most important thing," said Mourinho on Wednesday.

"I had a good conversation with him yesterday. We spoke around this question that you ask me, and I think we found very common ground.

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"You know it's an important period of the season for the team, it's an important period of the season for him also. We need him, a good Dele Alli.

"Now we are just waiting for him to be back to normality, to be back training with the team. It's not just Dele, when you look: Alli, [Harry] Kane, Gio Lo Celso. Without all three we lose a bit of creation, magic in the attacking areas."

Can Dele Alli revive his Tottenham career in the second half of the season? Have your say in the comments.

Mourinho hopes his frank discussion with Alli will give the player – who has scored 64 goals in 234 appearances for Spurs – extra impetus for the second half of the season.

The Portuguese added: "We need him back. Of course a conversation doesn't produce miracles, doesn't put a player in good form without any limitations on fitness.

"But I believe that the conversation was maybe the extra motivation that he needed to be back as soon as possible and be available for the team.

"We are back in the Europa League very soon, we are playing in the Premier League as you know every week a couple of matches, we have the FA Cup, I don't believe he will be back in time for that.

"We have a [Carabao Cup] final in April. So we need a good Dele back and I believe that when physically he is ready I believe that he will be mentally in a good place to go for it."

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