It was in March 2018 that Mauricio Pochettino declared Dele Alli as the best 21-year-old in world football. Now 23, there would be plenty of debate over whether or not he is even the best in his age group at Tottenham Hotspur.

Pochettino’s bold claim took Alli by surprise at the time and the Argentine admitted his might not have been an objective opinion, as he talked up the young forward on the back of an injury to Harry Kane.

But there was no doubt Alli looked like a footballer with the world at his feet during a season in which he had scored twice against Real Madrid in the Champions League. It is nearly two years since his double against the Spaniards and Alli started against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night, having not added to those goals in the Champions League.

He did not hit the back of the net once in Tottenham’s run to the Champions League final, although he can justifiably count to injuries and having to play further back in midfield as contributing factors.

He went into the Bayern game having scored only once in all competitions this year, against Fulham in January, and it was somewhat of a surprise to see Alli’s name among the Spurs starters.