Dele Alli’s emergence this season has caught the football world by surprise but his stunning form in the Premier League is the result of three-and-a-half years’ careful work by Tottenham.

Alli should make his 18th appearance of the campaign for Spurs in tonight’s Europa League tie at Qarabag. Even though there are nearly six months of the season remaining, Alli has already surpassed expectations in his first campaign at this level, winning four senior England caps and scoring on his full debut at Wembley.

In an era in which cash-rich English top-flight clubs often sign players impulsively, caught by the deadline-day bug, Spurs deserve praise for their diligence in scouting Alli. Now 19, Alli was on Tottenham’s radar since the age of 15; his progress this season is confirmation of a job well done.

Alli’s career might, however, have unfolded very differently.

In the summer of 2014, he nearly moved from MK Dons to Liverpool, whose then manager, Brendan Rodgers, believed Alli might one day replace Steven Gerrard at the heart of the Anfield midfield.

Those closest to Alli decided it would be better for him to spend more time at Milton Keynes, where he made 88 appearances. When Alli chose Tottenham in January, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Sunderland were among the clubs showing a strong interest. Spurs won the race because of Mauricio Pochettino’s commitment to selecting young, English players — a policy that has enabled Alli to thrive.

The £5million Spurs paid Milton Keynes last January now looks a remarkable piece of business. Alli’s manager at that club, Karl Robinson, told Standard Sport: “When he was 17, I said he would play for England. He has a very poorly developed sense of fear. Yes he is talented and fearless but also very humble and grounded.

“When he chose to move to Spurs, he was totally dedicated to that decision. Spurs made him believe they were the right club for him. They had been following him for three-and-a-half years. I spoke to David Pleat [former Spurs boss who still scouts informally for the club] many times about him. I have had a few conversations with Dele since the move but he is not my player any more.

“He needs the time and space to grow, mature and become a top player. I believe his best position will be as an ‘eight’ [the more attacking of the two central midfielders in the 4-2-3-1 system] but he is a throwback to the type of midfielder who can attack and defend.

“His goal for England against France was typical of him. He won a tackle and then, later in the move, scored from outside the penalty area. In fact, he scored nearly an identical goal on his full debut for MK Dons [in an FA Cup tie against Cambridge City in November 2012].”

Pochettino knew little of Alli when he arrived: persuaded by his closest advisors, chairman Daniel Levy did the deal and agreed to loan Alli back to MK Dons for the remainder of last season. Yet Alli travelled regularly to Tottenham’s Enfield training base during that period, for treatment for an ankle injury and to join in first-team training sessions.

Player Ratings: Tottenham vs West Ham 22 show all Player Ratings: Tottenham vs West Ham 1/22 Hugo Lloris: 6 This was one of the easiest games the France captain has had since he joined Tottenham in the summer of 2012. 2/22 Kyle Walker: 8 After a difficult start against Victor Moses, he quickly came out on top and was a very useful attacking threat, as he showed with the fourth goal. Booked. 2015 Getty Images 3/22 Toby Alderweireld: 8 Solid as ever at the back and scored the second goal with a header from a corner after a clever run to the near post. 4/22 Jan Vertonghen: 7 Like Lloris, the centre-back had a relatively simple afternoon. Kept Carroll quiet with dealt easily with what little danger West Ham caused. 5/22 Danny Rose: 6 Not always precise, but always committed, in both attack and defence on the left flank. Rose is slowly recapturing his best form. 6/22 Dele Alli: 7 Pushed further forward into the No10 role, he was involved in the majority of his team’s attacks, though needed to be calmed by his manager after a needless spat with Mark Noble. Booked.



Ryan Mason: 6



Missed one good chance and hit the post from distance late on. 7/22 Eric Dier: 7 A calming presence in the centre, his job is to move the ball on swiftly to his attacking players, which he does effectively. 2015 Getty Images 8/22 Mousa Dembele: 8 Deployed deeper in midfield rather than in the No10 role, the Belgian maintained his recent form with another fine game in both disciplines. 2015 Getty Images 9/22 Christian Eriksen: 7 Starts on the left flank but usually drifts inside where he helps link the play with clever passing and movement. Created the second and third goals. 10/22 Heung-min Son: 6 Making his first start for nearly two months after injury, the South Korean kept Hammers left-back Aaron Cresswell honest throughout.



Josh Onomah: 6 2015 Getty Images 11/22 Harry Kane: 8 Two goals – eight in five games now – one missed chance and lots of clever, unselfish work throughout the game from Spurs’ star man.



Tom Carroll: 6 12/22 Adrian: 5 Could do little about the first two goals but he allowed Kane’s shot to slip under his body for the home side’s third. 2015 Getty Images 13/22 Carl Jenkinson: 5 Allowed Kane to turn far too easily in the penalty area for Tottenham’s opener and struggled to contain Rose and Eriksen. 2015 Getty Images 14/22 James Tomkins: 4 Shaky display was summed up when, under no pressure, he gifted possession to Eriksen, who set up Kane for Tottenham’s third goal. 2015 Getty Images 15/22 Wiston Reid: 5 A tough day for the New Zealander, who lost Alderweireld for Spurs’ second and was too often caught out of position. 16/22 Aaron Cresswell: 5 At his best, he is an effective attacker from left-back but Walker and Son ensured he spent most of the afternoon in his own half. 17/22 Cheikhou Kouyate: 6 Hit the bar with an overhead kick in the first half that would have made it 1-1 and was one of his team’s better performers on a day to forget. 2015 Getty Images 18/22 Mark Noble: 6 Showed his customary energy and dedication in midfield but once Tottenham scored their first, West Ham’s gameplan went out of the window. Booked.



Alex Song: 6 19/22 Victor Moses: 5 Made a very bright start and caused Walker problems, but faded quickly thereafter as Walker and Son gained the upper hand. Substituted along with Carroll. Mauro Zarate: 6



Pushed wide on the left but failed to offer anything of note. 20/22 Manuel Lanzini: 6 Required to provide the creative spark in Dimitri Payet’s absence, the Argentine was deployed in a midfield three and scored a cracking goal – when it was far too late. 2015 Getty Images 21/22 Diafra Sakho: 6 Worked as hard as anyone but he would surely be more useful to his team through the middle, rather than on the flanks. Booked. 22/22 Andy Carroll: 5 Well policed by Alderweireld and Vertonghen throughout, the centre-forward received little service from the flanks and was subbed just after the hour mark. Nikica Jelavic: 6



Could do no better than Carroll. 1/22 Hugo Lloris: 6 This was one of the easiest games the France captain has had since he joined Tottenham in the summer of 2012. 2/22 Kyle Walker: 8 After a difficult start against Victor Moses, he quickly came out on top and was a very useful attacking threat, as he showed with the fourth goal. Booked. 2015 Getty Images 3/22 Toby Alderweireld: 8 Solid as ever at the back and scored the second goal with a header from a corner after a clever run to the near post. 4/22 Jan Vertonghen: 7 Like Lloris, the centre-back had a relatively simple afternoon. Kept Carroll quiet with dealt easily with what little danger West Ham caused. 5/22 Danny Rose: 6 Not always precise, but always committed, in both attack and defence on the left flank. Rose is slowly recapturing his best form. 6/22 Dele Alli: 7 Pushed further forward into the No10 role, he was involved in the majority of his team’s attacks, though needed to be calmed by his manager after a needless spat with Mark Noble. Booked.



Ryan Mason: 6



Missed one good chance and hit the post from distance late on. 7/22 Eric Dier: 7 A calming presence in the centre, his job is to move the ball on swiftly to his attacking players, which he does effectively. 2015 Getty Images 8/22 Mousa Dembele: 8 Deployed deeper in midfield rather than in the No10 role, the Belgian maintained his recent form with another fine game in both disciplines. 2015 Getty Images 9/22 Christian Eriksen: 7 Starts on the left flank but usually drifts inside where he helps link the play with clever passing and movement. Created the second and third goals. 10/22 Heung-min Son: 6 Making his first start for nearly two months after injury, the South Korean kept Hammers left-back Aaron Cresswell honest throughout.



Josh Onomah: 6 2015 Getty Images 11/22 Harry Kane: 8 Two goals – eight in five games now – one missed chance and lots of clever, unselfish work throughout the game from Spurs’ star man.



Tom Carroll: 6 12/22 Adrian: 5 Could do little about the first two goals but he allowed Kane’s shot to slip under his body for the home side’s third. 2015 Getty Images 13/22 Carl Jenkinson: 5 Allowed Kane to turn far too easily in the penalty area for Tottenham’s opener and struggled to contain Rose and Eriksen. 2015 Getty Images 14/22 James Tomkins: 4 Shaky display was summed up when, under no pressure, he gifted possession to Eriksen, who set up Kane for Tottenham’s third goal. 2015 Getty Images 15/22 Wiston Reid: 5 A tough day for the New Zealander, who lost Alderweireld for Spurs’ second and was too often caught out of position. 16/22 Aaron Cresswell: 5 At his best, he is an effective attacker from left-back but Walker and Son ensured he spent most of the afternoon in his own half. 17/22 Cheikhou Kouyate: 6 Hit the bar with an overhead kick in the first half that would have made it 1-1 and was one of his team’s better performers on a day to forget. 2015 Getty Images 18/22 Mark Noble: 6 Showed his customary energy and dedication in midfield but once Tottenham scored their first, West Ham’s gameplan went out of the window. Booked.



Alex Song: 6 19/22 Victor Moses: 5 Made a very bright start and caused Walker problems, but faded quickly thereafter as Walker and Son gained the upper hand. Substituted along with Carroll. Mauro Zarate: 6



Pushed wide on the left but failed to offer anything of note. 20/22 Manuel Lanzini: 6 Required to provide the creative spark in Dimitri Payet’s absence, the Argentine was deployed in a midfield three and scored a cracking goal – when it was far too late. 2015 Getty Images 21/22 Diafra Sakho: 6 Worked as hard as anyone but he would surely be more useful to his team through the middle, rather than on the flanks. Booked. 22/22 Andy Carroll: 5 Well policed by Alderweireld and Vertonghen throughout, the centre-forward received little service from the flanks and was subbed just after the hour mark. Nikica Jelavic: 6



Could do no better than Carroll.

If Pochettino had been unaware of Alli beforehand, those early sessions convinced him that he had an outstanding prospect on his hands.

Alli has played only 17 games for Tottenham but already he is one of their key players. He will have an important role to play tonight as Spurs seek the win that will send them into the knockout stages. And if Alli keeps advancing at his current pace, he and Tottenham will soon be appearing on far grander European stages.