Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho has revealed the conversation he had with out-of-favour midfielder Dele Alli, who was keen to join Paris Saint-Germain last month.
Alli has started just one Premier League match this season, Spurs' opening game against Everton, although he lasted only 45 minutes.
After struggling for regular game time, the England international was reportedly keen to reunite with Mauricio Pochettino at Paris Saint-Germain in the January transfer window, but the move failed to materialise.
However, it now seems the midfielder will be given a chance to play when he returns from injury, if the latest from Mourinho is anything to go by.
"I had a good conversation with him yesterday, we spoke about this and I think we found a very common ground.
"It is an important period of the season for the team and for him also. We need him. We need a good Dele Alli and we are just waiting for him to be back to normality, to training with the team.
"It is not just Dele, there is also (Harry) Kane and Giovani Lo Celso – we are speaking about players that, without all three, we miss a little bit of some creative magic around the attacking areas.
"So we need him back and I made that very sure to him. A conversation doesn't make miracles, a conversation doesn't put a player in great form or without any limitations in terms of fitness. But I believe the conversation was maybe the extra motivation he needed to be back as soon as possible and to become available for the team.
"We play Europa League very soon and we are in the Premier League every week playing a couple of matches. We are also in the FA Cup next week but I don't think he will be in time for that one.
"We have a final to play in April so we need a good Dele back.
"When physically he is ready, I believe he will mentally be in a good place to go for it."
