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Cape Town - Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has backed midfielder Dele Alli to become one of the world's best players, and claims the youngster is already worth £50m.
The 20-year-old underlined his importance to Spurs in midweek, netting an impressive brace as the London outfit rallied from behind to claim a 4-1 victory over Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium.
And, ahead of the January transfer window, Pochettino was asked whether he felt the former MK Dons player was worth £50m.
"Yes [he is a £50m player], why not? Today Dele Alli is showing a quality, a talent that it's difficult to find in Europe at 20 years old," he told reporters.
"There's no doubt he is and will be one of the best players in England in the next 10, 12 years. And England represents Europe, and maybe the world too.
"The Premier League is the toughest and best competition in the world, and if you are one of the best in England you are one of the best in Europe.
"In one year and a half we've talked a lot, and we can see how he is as a person, and that's important; how he's growing up, not only in football.
"For different reasons that crossed different problems, but he's improved a lot in his behaviour, in his game, in football."
The Argentine boss feels Alli's growing reputation means he will be a target for opposition players.
He added: "Now it's a big challenge for all the opponents to stop Dele Alli.
"He's said he wants success here, he's very happy here, and there's no doubt that he wants to win titles here.
"I am very honest in that situation. Sometimes he will joke in the dressing room or on the pitch, but he's very serious.
"Always I hear him say many times 'I want to succeed here, I want to win trophies here'."
Alli has made 15 starts and a further two appearances from the bench in the Premier League this season, netting six times and bagging one assist.
