Dele Alli has been left out of Tottenham’s squad for today’s game with Southampton.
Alli’s team mates have been left stunned by Jose Mourinho not including the England midfielder in his travelling party for the second game running.
Tottenham boss Mourinho insisted there is no personal issue with Alli but this latest snub will raise major questions and has surprised other players.
Alli did not go to Bulgaria in the Europa League last Thursday as Mourinho said eight players were being left behind because of the number of games.
The club suggested Alli would have to work on his fitness levels this week but has now not gone to Southampton as part of a run of nine games in 21 days for Spurs.
It does raise question marks for Alli at Spurs and whether he has a future at White Hart Lane under Mourinho.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy does not want to sell him and he remains one of the club’s biggest stars.
Mourinho insisted there was no rift last week after substituting him at half time after the first game of the season, when they lost 1-0 to Everton.
Mourinho said: “That is my job to make these decisions and to try the best for the team when I am not happy with the performance. There is no story. It is just that.
“Dele's a very polite guy, very calm, I think he's a bit introspective. When you think a lot about things, so I think the way he reacted was Dele. Was quiet, was sad but in the end after the game he was just one of many.
“But again, I repeat, he's a good boy. Very, very polite and I never saw from him, in here, with myself, with the others, a strong reaction. A good boy, a really good boy.”
While Alli was left out, Tanguy Ndombele was handed a start in midfield on the south coast.
The club's record signing, who scored in the Europa League in midweek, was named in a midfield trio alongside Harry Winks and ex-Saint Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Harry Kane was flanked in attack by Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura.
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