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Premier League round-up: Dele Alli is 'necessary and brilliant'

GettyImages-632318352
GettyImages-632318352

Playing for a boyhood dream move to Real Madrid… Dele Alli

There are few teams in the world who would not be improved by Dele Alli. Only Barcelona could argue that they don’t need him, given the players already at their disposal. Even they, surely, would think about how they might make it work if they had the option, though.

Chelsea would have him in a second. Manchester United and City would become meaningfully more dangerous with him on the pitch. Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, anyone would be better for having him in their side.

His cockiness and aggression are typically English. He has a swagger possessed by someone who believes that they can do anything that they need to do. But he has something that really isn’t English – he can actually do anything that he needs to.

[READ MORE: Tottenham Hotspur Fan View]

He is there, facing down the opposition already knowing he has the beating of them, that he has the superior tools and resources to emerge victorious. All is a wonderful player, and now Real Madrid reportedly want him. He could be the next British success there, after Gareth Bale.

We can all have confidence in Alli, an almost certain success in Europe. Alli is necessary, brilliant and inspiring. Alli is the anti-Brexit.

[READ MORE: Manchester City Fan View]

Best goal of the weekend… Wayne Rooney

When he equalled the record, it was worth saluting Rooney for all that he’d achieved. He’s the most successful English footballer since David Beckham, in terms of commercial success and winning trophies.

Like Beckham, he was desired by some of the best teams on the tournament. Where they differ is that Beckham maintained his body for as long as possible, whereas Rooney has seen his wither.

[IN PICTURES: Record breaker Wayne Rooney’s best goals]

Against Stoke City, there was one, vital similarity left with Beckham. Rooney measured an absolutely superb free kick, from behind the corner of the penalty area, into the near top corner. To manage to whip a ball over the wall and over the ‘keeper, from that angle, was a piece of brilliance.

Fittingly, it recalled the best moments of Rooney’s goal-scoring of the past. It was inventive, but it was brash. It was technically impressive, but it was cocky and daring too.

David Beckham moved, prematurely, to America as his career wound down. Rooney must show more of this quality to make sure Old Trafford is left wanting more of him too.

Surprise of the weekend… Jurgen Klopp goes long ball despite it being against the very core of his being

Congratulations to Paul Clement. By virtue of being Not American, it seems that he has united some of the press in the idea that being Actually American is a problem for managers. More realistically, he was the wrong man at the wrong time, and given barely any chance to prove otherwise.

Against Liverpool, Swansea were full-on, pressing their opponents and able to supply Fernando Llorente with enough chances in the box to make a difference – for too many times this season, it has not been the case.

[READ MORE: How Liverpool’s Swansea defeat affected their title dreams]

It is not fair to take managers’ comments at face value in the aftermath of a match. Realistically, it’s not worth crediting the words coming out of the mouth of a manager at any time that they are at work. It is not the job of the manager to tell the truth, unless the truth happens to coincidentally be the most useful thing to say at the time.

Is a player fit? Do you want to buy this player? Was that player at fault for the goal? The player might have seven broken legs, be Lionel Messi on a free, or Chris Smalling respectively, but there’s no point being honest.

No, he’s not fit. No, not interested in Messi. No, Chris Smalling is the next Jaap Stam. Talk rubbish, ignore reality, give the press nothing. It’s management 101. However, it is still funny when Jurgen Klopp, after complaining about long balls last week, used exactly the same tactic this week.

Most important goal of the weekend… Alexis Sanchez

Let’s not miss the facts. Arsenal celebrate doing the bare minimum as if it were a trophy. Given the ecstasy they feel when they qualify for the Champions League, maybe it’s worth just admitting that Arsenal fans are simply the most optimistic fans in the world. Everything is great when you do OK, and good for them for thinking so!

Against Burnley, they showed an admirable desire for victory, helped by John Moss awarding penalty to a player who was fouled in an offside position. As said before, the best way to earn incorrect decisions is to ask the referee to make as many of them as you can.

The more you’re in the box, the more you’ll win a dodgy penalty. It’s simply how football works. Alexis Sanchez’s penalty was an enjoyable, deft panenka, doubly so because it came under such pressure that few players can take. But, again, let’s not miss the facts.

This was a riotous celebration borne of relief, which is what often makes the best goon, but it was still a victory against Burnley that took 98 minutes and came with a Granit Xhaka suspension. In isolation it’s a great result, in context it’s nothing but pure Arsenal. That isn’t a good thing.

A disappointing week for… Tianjin Quanjian

Last week, Chelsea were in some bother. Antonio Conte had told Diego Costa to do one, and they were left with another sulky striker who was after leaving the club. For the very reasonable offer of £30 million a year, after tax – almost as much as the very best online football bloggers make.

[READ MORE: Chelsea’s Diego Costa back with a bang as Blues down Hull]

This week has seen a detente between Chelsea, Conte and Costa. It appears to be decided that Costa will stay for six months, and common sense suggests he’ll get his massive move to one club or another, be it in China or a return to Atletico Madrid.

Costa was in the mood against Hull, on hand to score the winner, and on hand to make a demonstrative celebration that reflected a player who didn’t appear desperate to leave. Chelsea will be delighted – this should be another league trophy for the club – and the only ones upset right now will be his current Chinese suitors.