Paul Lambert has warned Dele Alli’s critics they are only harming England by heavily scrutinising a player he once tried to sign.
Alli is expected to be part of the Tottenham team that visits Lambert’s Potters this weekend after scoring twice in the win over Chelsea.
The 21-year-old went into that game amid much debate over his possible omission from Gareth Southgate’s World Cup XI after he played just 22 minutes across the Three Lions’ two friendlies last month.
Lambert insists that Alli’s naysayers should lay off the youngster if they want to see him thrive for his country.
“It’s the old thing of a young kid bursting through and hitting the ground running – he does great, then he’s had a little bit of a blip, which all young kids do, then he comes back again,” Lambert explained.
“Everybody seems to push the old pressure button to him rather than just letting him flourish.
“It’s not healthy for him – a young kid getting criticised, especially for the national team.
“You want your young, best players to perform. If you’re continually going to criticise him, he’s human, he’s only a baby. It’s unfair, especially for the national team.”
Lambert has been a long-time admirer of Alli and attempted to bring him to Aston Villa from MK Dons before he moved to Tottenham in 2015.
“I actually spoke to him on the phone when he was at MK Dons for Aston Villa – he came across really well,” the Scot added.
“He obviously chose Tottenham and he kicked right on. I knew Tottenham were in, it was always going to be difficult with Tottenham. He was a nice kid.”