MAURICIO POCHETTINO insists Dele Alli can handle the pressure of being English football's latest bright young hope.
Dele Alli has missed just two Premier League games in his debut season at Tottenham
The Tottenham youngster has taken the Premier League by storm this season and cemented his place in England's squad for this summer's European Championships in France with a superb display in the 3-2 win over Germany last weekend.
The 19-year-old, who only joined Tottenham from MK Dons in a £5million deal last season, has even been compared by Sir Alex Ferguson to Paul Gascoigne at his peak.
But Tottenham manager Pochettino, the man who signed Alli and gave him his chance in the top flight, is convinced the youngster will not let the praise go to his head.
The Argentine said: "It is very good praise from one of the best managers in football history. I can only agree with him.
"We are not worried about the hype. For the whole season he has managed the pressure. Dele is very calm, very mature. He has dealt with everything that comes with becoming a senior player and playing for the national team.
"There is always a question mark with a young player. You can assess things like his left and right foot, or his performance on the pitch. But how a young player can be affected by the big things that happen in football - that is always a question.
"You can be aware and behind him to try to support him, but it has surprised us how mature he is. He is as calm as the day he arrived one year ago."
Pochettino is aware that Ali's form, like that of any young player, could dip from this present high, but he added: "We always need to be aware and look after him. We have a lot of control over that. He could go down, but we look after him.
"Now he is fresh, at a good level, and he has a good mentality. We have no worries about his future."
Pochettino, whose side visit Liverpool tomorrow in a game crucial to their title challenge, with leaders Leicester five points ahead and not playing until Sunday, gives all the credit to his rapid rose to Ali himself.
He said: "We try to provide the tools for them to improve, and then it's up to them. So it has not surprised us because his quality and condition were unbelievable, and the potential is massive.
"How they develop is always up to the player. Some players show maturity like him and develop quicker. He is one of the best young players I have worked with."
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