Harry Redknapp defends Dele Alli "devilment"

Dele Alli celebrates his opener during the Premier League game between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United on April 10, 2016
© Getty Images
Former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp believes that Dele Alli's "aggressive" streak will prove to be a positive aspect of his game in the long run.

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has said that Dele Alli has an element of "devilment" to his game which will help him throughout his career.

The newly-crowned PFA Young Player of the Year could be banned for the final three matches of the season after the FA charged him over a punch thrown at Claudio Yacob during Monday's 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion.

Redknapp admitted that Alli overstepped the mark with his actions, but believes that his aggressive streak is a positive aspect of his game.

"He's got that little bit of devilment in him, which I like, to be honest. I don't want to see him throwing punches, obviously, but he's not just a good footballer," he told talkSPORT.

"He's not a lad who people are going to kick out of the game and be aggressive with. He comes back at you. He can hand it out as well as take it. But he's overreacted to Yacob, and you can't do that. Yacob is a yellow card man every week and he's going to have all the tricks in the book.

"Certainly Yacob would have come out with the intention to wind him up, to get in his face, to be niggly with him all game, and obviously the kid has bought it and reacted. But it's all part of his learning. He's only a baby still, he's a fantastic talent and I love watching him."

Alli has scored 10 goals during a breakthrough season for Spurs this term.

Dele Alli celebrates scoring during the game between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur on January 3, 2016
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