Congrats to Dele, incredible debut season. Lots still to prove on his part but early signs suggest that's arguably the best £5m spent on a player in Premier League history. To think he's only just turned 20 is crazy.
If confirmed, excellent. But also : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PFA_Young_Player_of_the_Year shows you again the fall from grace for Villa.
I said it a few weeks ago, but the real problem Villa have is that their academy has fallen behind Birmingham's in recent years. A decade ago you could say Villa's academy was producing international-level footballers, notably Gareth Barry, Gary Cahill, Darius Vassell, Steven Davis, Ciaran Clarke, Boaz Myhill and Barry Bannan, while Daniel Sturridge was in their academy for a few years - but now, with the exceptions of maybe Jack Grealish and possibly Andre Green, none of the players coming through look Premier League standard. In comparison, Birmingham's academy has produced Jack Butland, Nathan Redmond and Demarai Grey in the last few years, and all of them are of a better quality that most of the dreck in Villa's team.
Amazing to think that before Walker we hadn't had one since Hoddle was a young lad. On second thoughts looking at our youth production/league finishes in that period, maybe it's not so surprising.
I'll have to wash my hands with industrial bleach after typing this, but I was always surprised that Judas didn't win it in his proper breakthrough season of 95-96, especially as eventual winner Cocaine Fowler won it the previous year too.
Well done to Dele Alli, excellent achievement in such a short time. And to the on-pitch staff (scouts, academy etc) in recent times, who have found/ nurtured the talent that only won young POTY 4 seasons out of the past 5.
Cue Michael Emenalo with something really embarrassing again! please log in to view this image "Michael, shut up, you idiot!"
Roman : Michael, shut up, you idiot! Michael : Well Roman, you try and say a non-embarrassing sentence that has the word "Chelsea" in it.
Dele Alli's acceptance speech: The wave! Here it is in context, with Ossie Ardiles picking it up for him and announcing it: I wonder who went along for the club? Sounds like there's a few there cheering him on, at least.
Jeez, how can a kid of 20 already be a near legend for a season of nutmegs and a Camberwick Green wave (love the crowd reaction) !!??
Cant: Hello, it's Dele Alli. Alli: <waves> Have you just won an award Dele? <nods> Was that for being a very good young footballer? <nods> Do you hope to win more awards in the future for being a very good footballer? <nods> I hope we see you again soon Dele <nods & waves> please log in to view this image
