10 players across Europe who exceeded expectations this season

5) Dele Alli

Dele Alli has kept Tottenham’s title charge ticking

While the majority of Europe’s hottest young talents are of foreign origin, Dele Alli has captured the attention of a host of clubs as England’s next big thing. His rifled strike at Selhurst Park back in January laid down a marker and supplied the hype with substance.

Rarely does a prodigious young talent anchor down a Premier League midfield with such authority, but Alli has scored seven goals and made nine assists in his debut campaign for Spurs, despite plying his trade in League One only twelve months ago.

His leadership from the centre and range of passing has been crucial to Tottenham’s progress over the course of the campaign.