Thursday 5 October 2017 09:38, UK
Dele Alli's performances for Tottenham have "stalled" as Harry Kane has taken his game to the next level, according to the Sunday Supplement panel.
After netting 23 goals in all competitions last season, Alli hasn't been quite as effective in front of goal so far this campaign, with just three strikes to his name.
Kane, after another barren August, has once again found his scoring touch, with seven goals, including a match-winning double in Spurs' 3-2 win over West Ham on Saturday.
Alli has been linked with a move to Manchester United and Real Madrid in the Sunday papers, a move which as no chance of materialising based on Alli's current form, according to the Daily Telegraph's chief sports writer Paul Hayward.
"His game has slightly stalled in a way, Hayward said. "I think the play breaks down around him too often. He is capable of these magic moments and he makes a huge contribution to the team, but I don't think he quite efficient enough yet.
"Too often things stop when they get to him. He is going to have to eliminate that from his game if he is going to get a move to Real Madrid. They won't tolerate that."
Alli could learn a lot from looking at Kane's development, says the Sunday People's chief football writer Steve Bates, with the England striker having taken his game to the next level.
"The best way for Dele Alli to get a move is to play the way Harry Kane plays, Bates said. "I watched Alli play yesterday, and yes he was involved in a couple of goals, but he wasn't really convincing.
"Kane has shifted his game up to a different level now. Kane is a global striker now, people around the world are starting to notice.
"His goals encapsulated [against West Ham] what he is about. He is a ruthless goalscorer of the mentality that he wanted to just get better and better.
"Tottenham had several chances to get that final goal to put the game to bed against West Ham, but the move broke down around Alli."
