'He'd always find that pass perfectly' - Dele Alli names Lionel Messi & Kevin De Bruyne as 'toughest opponents' faced in career with Como midfielder revealing 'a lot of respect' for duo

During his days at Tottenham, Dele found himself rubbing shoulders with some of the best players on the planet. He became a Premier League star in his own right, while also helping Spurs to battle past Europe’s elite en route to the Champions League final.

During the group stage of the 2018-19 Champions League, Dele faced Argentine icon Messi at Camp Nou - with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner stepping off the bench for Barcelona in a game that finished 1-1.

Dele, who is now rebuilding his career in Italy after overcoming serious injury issues, has told Como’s official website when asked to pick out his toughest rivals on the field: "I have to say Messi. Obviously we weren’t directly against each other, but for me Messi was one of the toughest."

Dele added on a player that he came up against on a regular basis when facing Manchester City in England’s top tier: "Also, Kevin De Bruyne is one that I always put up there because we play similar positions.

"I’d be behind him and see things and think: ‘Please don’t see that pass’. But he always seemed to see it and find the pass perfectly. For me, that was something I noticed and something I gave a lot of respect to."

Dele is hoping to enhance his own reputation, with time still on his side after turning 29. He endured a tough start to life at Como, after being sent off on debut, but is determined to prove his worth while working under ex-Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas.