Dele Alli must slow things down to achieve superstar status as new Tottenham contract looms

Dele Alli has enviable swagger. He knows he is good.

Last month, against Newcastle, the 21-year-old was pitted against Jonjo Shelvey. The Tottenham midfielder’s lofty disdain for his rival, who dominated the Championship last season, was such that Shelvey lashed out at his tormentor and was sent off. When the prince and the pauper met, it was never a contest.

Alli has presence. He is a young man with almost limitless possibilities in the game.

Last month, he parted company with his longstanding agent, Rob Segal. His ability is such that the world’s hottest player representatives are queuing up to get Alli on their books. Jorge Mendes and Mino Riola, the superagents, are circling the kid from Milton Keynes with dollar signs in their eyes.

This places a lot of pressure on a relatively inexperienced individual who is far from the finished product.

Alli has the class to justify the hype but distractions can undermine the progress of an evolving player. His exuberance has led to avoidable controversy.

The most recent bout of silliness came at Wembley earlier this month, when he made what he insists was a jokey offensive gesture towards Kyle Walker during England’s win over Slovakia. Middle-finger salutes while playing for the national side are never a good idea, especially when in close proximity with a referee who had just ignored an appeal for a free-kick.

Seeing that Alli is serving a three-match European club ban for an appalling tackle he made against Gent in February, it was not a good look.

The England midfielder’s talent is unquestionable; his decision-making is still suspect.

That applies to his game, too. In the 0-0 home draw against Swansea City on Saturday, nothing seemed to work for him. It was an off-day but it illustrated wider issues. Alli needs to decide what type of player he wants to be, particularly if he harbours thoughts of playing abroad.

Goals are a huge part of his game but if he becomes little more than an auxiliary striker, it would be a waste. He has much more to offer than thrusting forward runs.

The Premier League’s pace and physical nature cause some players to neglect subtlety in favour of power and speed. Alli’s eagerness to drive into the opposition’s final third is thrilling. Sometimes Spurs would be better served if their star midfielder sat deeper, surveyed the pitch and picked a pass instead of surging upfield.

Alli has the quality to slow the game down but rarely does. That skill is crucial at the highest level. Gareth Bale, at Real Madrid, has learnt to operate at a more sedate pace. When the Welshman then turns on the afterburners, it is hugely effective. Bale’s goal against Real Sociedad was a great example of how to use a change of tempo to create an advantage.

The Spurs youngster’s passing range and vision can be undermined by his urge to do things faster than his opponents. It is a shame. Few players have Alli’s delicacy of touch and knack of unlocking defences.

At the moment, too much of Alli’s effective work is performed in overdrive. Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen play in a more considered, intelligent style. They are older than their team-mate and he could take a few lessons from them.

There are times when Alli looks like he wants the side to revolve around him. That arrogance is a good thing, yet the midfielder will be even better when he pays more attention to the team’s shape and less to his own performance.

Spurs looked tighter and more coherent defensively without him against Borussia Dortmund. He needs to show he can bring similar discipline to the side in big games.

There will be more distracting times ahead. Daniel Levy wants to make sure his stars are still at the club when the new White Hart Lane opens - planned for next season - but Alli will be in demand when the season ends.

Tottenham’s wage structure makes their players ripe targets for wealthy suitors. Even the new, £100,000 per-week contract that will be negotiated in the coming weeks will be way below the going rate.

Thoughts of a move are premature, though. Until Alli can master top-six Premier League opponents the same way he destabilised Shelvey, he will not be ready to make the step up to Europe’s elite. To do that, he needs to help Spurs to the next level.

Whatever the next few months hold, Alli may be better served by slowing things down - both on and off the pitch.