EPL: Runaway Nigerian, Dele Alli Unveils How He Got Lucky Charm

Tottenham midfielder, Dele Alli, has explained how he got a ‘lucky charm’ from a Russian taxi driver during the World Cup.

Dele had been substituted 10 minutes prior to Harry Kane’s stoppage-time winner in their first World Cup match against Tunisia, having sustained a thigh strain during the first half.

He took the 45-minute journey into Saint Petersburg for a scan which would determine his fate in the competition.

“As I got out, the taxi driver gave me a bracelet and said it was good luck,” he told Evening Standard Sports.

“So I’ve kept it. I don’t wear it but I keep it in my washbag.”

Dele Ali was among the players recently called up by manager Gareth Southgate last Thursday.

Ali added, “It’s been a while since we’ve come out of a tournament without needing a root-and-branch review.

“It’ll be good to see all of the boys again.

“Last time after the Euros, you didn’t really want to look into it too much, but we knew we had to talk about the last-16 defeat to Iceland to get over it.”