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Tottenham's Dele Alli can star for England at tournaments, says former Three Lions skipper Bryan Robson

Bongarts/Getty Images
Bongarts/Getty Images

Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli can prove himself to be a "top-class player" at international tournaments, according to former England captain Bryan Robson.

At just 20 Alli has already travelled to a tournament with England, though he will be as keen as any of Roy Hodgson’s squad to forget Euro 2016, and has won 16 caps for the Three Lions.

Alli has been an even more impressive contributor at club level, scoring 24 goals in less than two seasons for Tottenham and striking up an understanding with compatriot Harry Kane that bodes well for the England side.

And former Manchester United skipper Robson, who scored 26 times in 90 caps for England between 1980 and 1991, is convinced Alli can be a key player as Gareth Southgate looks to end the country’s decades of disappointment at major tournaments.

"He's a great player, there's no getting away from that – he can score goals, he's got great energy levels, very good technical ability," Robson told Omnisport.

"He can be a big part for England. You always need top-class players to do well in any competition, so hopefully, he'll come through and be a top-class player for England.

"If you get that then you've got a chance of doing well in competitions.

"England still have quite a bit of work to do in the World Cup qualification, but with the group of players that they've got I'd be very disappointed if they miss out on qualification."

Southgate’s side are well placed to secure their spot at the tournament in Russia next summer. After four games they top Group F on 10 points, two clear of Slovenia.