The Tottenham midfielder is no longer a guaranteed starter for his country and heads into the World Cup with something of a point to prove
Theo Walcott. Luke Shaw. Ross Barkley. England are no strangers when it comes to selecting talented youngsters for major tournaments, only for it to become evident in the immediate aftermath that they will likely never reach their full potential.
In France two years ago, the eyes of the world would be thrust on Dele Alli. "England's fearless street footballer who can take Euro 2016 by storm" read one headline in The Guardian on the eve of the tournament.