Mourinho tightlipped on Real Madrid & PSG-linked Alli's future

Jose Mourinho refuses to be drawn into the speculations connecting Dele Alli with a move away from Tottenham this summer.

Dele Alli was not included in Tottenham’s starting XI to face Southampton on Sunday and neither was he found on the bench.

Alli’s future became a subject of intense debate ever since he was taken off at half-time against Everton on the opening matchday.

Talks raged on that he was set to join Real Madrid in an exchange deal for Gareth Bale, who signed for Spurs on Saturday, after the midfielder then missed the subsequent Europa League qualifying match against Lokomotiv Plovdiv.

He was also nowhere to be seen in from the 5-2 win against Southampton, and Jose Mourinho was asked to comment on the situation.

Prior to the match, Mourinho insisted that the 24-year old’s absence was for tactical reasons. However, he refused to rule out an exit for Alli in his post-match press conference.

“I’m not responsible for the market. I’m not able to answer your question on that,” Mourinho said, as per Sky Sports.

“I can only say I left eight players behind training. They are a big group and Dele was among this group.

“The same way a squad is a puzzle and in the same way so is the bench. I cannot have three wingers and a No 10 and then no defender. Dele stayed out but probably Tuesday he will play. I want a balanced squad. He doesn’t have to be sacrificed.”