Argentine coach Pochettino admitted everything may have happened too fast and too soon for Alli, whose disciplinary problems have continued to dog his fledgling career.
FIFA have opened proceedings against the 21-year-old over a middle-finger gesture during England’s win over Slovakia this month.
The Young Player of the Year is already serving a three-game UEFA ban - keeping him out of Spurs’ opening Champions League games - for a wild challenge on Gent’s Brecht Dejaegere in the Europa League in May.
“The player is not only what we see on the pitch,” said Pochettino. “He is not just a number.
“We need to see the player as having a lot of things happening around them. He is not just furniture.
“There are a lot of things that affect them, and that are around them, when they are young. He went from zero to 100.
“He did very well in the last two seasons and it’s not easy for a young player to keep this level and show this level in every game.
“It’s about maturity about finding your balance in training, competing in your life... everything.
“I am happy with Dele’s performance. He is doing very well. His potential is still massive, but he is still young and we need to help him find that balance so he can sustain his career.”
While other top Spurs stars, including fellow England ace Harry Kane, are being rested tonight for the visit of Barnsley, Pochettino will send out Alli from the start at Wembley in a much-weakened team.
Despite the inexperience of the side, Pochettino has resisted the temptation to make Alli skipper, declining to say who would lead the team.
And he remains intent on giving the youngster the best possible grounding to ensure he goes on to make the best of his career.
“The most important thing is to be there if he needs us and, sometimes, to try to help before he asks,” added the Spurs boss.
“Then it’s up to the player, like always. I try to be fair with everyone and try to help every player in the squad.
“But he also needs the freedom to be natural and to express himself. It’s only about time - time for him to find his balance because he is still 21. He is so young.”
Since scoring on the first day of the season against Newcastle Alli is yet to find the net or provide an assist, and in the 0-0 Wembley draw with Swansea on Saturday he was way off his sparkling best.
The Tottenham boss added: “He scored against Newcastle, and since then he has had possibilities to score. He was a little bit like Harry in August.
“Harry created more chances and had the possibilities to score a lot of goals, but with less chances he has scored more goals in September. That happens in football.
“We just have to help Dele, support him and push him every single day. Then, with the talent that he has I am sure he will score again.”
