Conte Not Expecting Dele Alli Threat In Spurs Reunion

Alli will be facing a swift reunion with the club he left on the last day of the January transfer window.

The 25-year-old England international signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Toffees after leaving Spurs.

Alli joined Spurs from MK Dons in the summer of 2015 and impressed particularly in his first two seasons at the club, reaching double figures for goals in both campaigns.

His form dropped off in the last two seasons and he struggled for game time under Jose Mourinho, Nuno Esperito Santo and Conte.

"I don't remember a player that when he went away, came back with a great spirit of revenge," Conte told reporters.

"Honestly, I don't remember one. During my coaching, I always try to be honest with the players and give all the players the possibility to show me that they deserve to play.

"I don't remember a player that had their revenge with me. What happens usually is that when players went away they went down, not up."

Asked why Alli's career has been on a downward trajectory, Conte responded: "It is difficult to say something about this, for sure he is still young and his career is in his hands.

"He is very young and he has all the time to take his career again. I really think so. [Alli joining Everton] was a good decision for the player and the club.

"This decision was the best for the player because in the last few years he wasn't playing regularly and I think it was good for him to go to another environment to challenge himself.

"I can tell you that in the period that we were working together I tried to get the best out of him and he was always involved in the training session.

"But in the end, it was a good decision for him and he deserves big respect for what he did for this club in the time that he played here."

Alli has failed to score in four appearances for Everton so far.