Dele Alli says everyone's been 'honoured' by Tanguy Ndombele's arrival at Tottenham Hotspur and he also believes last season was his best one yet for learning.
The 23-year-old England international didn't hit the heights last season of his previous campaign, due to injuries which fragmented his campaign, playing in a deeper role at times and some quiet displays in front of goal.
Alli has come in for a bit of criticism in the past 12 months and found his role in the England team under scrutiny as well but he is taking it all in his stride.
"I don't think it's unfair [that he's judged on goals and assists]. A beautiful thing about football is everyone can have their own opinion and what's good and what's not," he said.
"For me, what's important is whose opinion I think is important. I have great people around me, great staff and great players and teammates. As long as they think I'm doing right thing.
"And as I've said many times before I'm my own biggest critic. I know when I've not played well, I know when I'm not doing well.
"Last season was the best I've had in terms of learning as a player. I'm still young, I'm still improving. Last season was a great learning season for me.
"I've just got to make sure this season I come back stronger. Maybe that's goals or assists, or maybe just keep improving to be the best I can be."
On what his best position actually is, behind Harry Kane or in a deeper role, he added: "At MK Dons, I played deeper but at Tottenham the manager started playing me higher.
"I don't have a preferred position, it changes depending on the opposition. Sometimes I prefer to be deeper, getting on the ball more, sometimes I want to be in the pocket. It varies and I'm happy to play both."
One man who could provide the ammunition for Alli to score more this season is Spurs' record £63m signing Ndombele.
The newcomer made a big impression on his debut against Juventus in the International Champions Cup match in Singapore on Sunday.
He came off the bench to set up Lucas Moura's second half equaliser in the 3-2 win with a driving run and perfect through ball before almost scoring himself minutes later with a curling shot. His manager Mauricio Pochettino described his instant impact as 'amazing'.
Alli was asked whether Ndombele can free him up to score more goals.
"Yeah, possibly. Last season we had great midfielders as well. He's come in, he looks comfortable and he's a great player. It's an honour to have him at Tottenham," said Alli.
"As an attacking player, it's always nice to know you have people behind you who are comfortable on the ball and you don't have to worry about defending.
"You can just get in the pocket, try to find some space. We have some very good midfielders. Harry's great, I'm happy playing off him. But then Sonny and Lucas are great players too – we have some amazing players here.
"Personally, it's always nice to score and get assists but that's not all I'm about as a player. I've had seasons where I've scored and assisted a lot of goals and last season I didn't score as many.
"But with my style of play, I don't think it matters too much if I'm getting goals or assists, I don't think that means I've had a bad game or I'm not playing well. Sometimes, defensively or off the ball, I'm making space for other players. I think that's all important."
Alli did come under fire during the summer in the media for other reasons after finding himself on one newspaper's front page with the headline "Del of a state - wobbly Alli carried away on boozy holiday'.
When asked how he deals with attention like that, the Spurs man laughed before catching himself: "It's not funny. I can't say it's funny, because it's not. I don't look too much into it. Papers will always write what they want to write. That's the way it'll always be.
"It was important I had some downtime. I'm 23 years old, I'm going to have some fun with my friends.
"As long as I'm still being professional, still doing the right things. I've come back in pre-season feeling strong, feeling good and I'm ready for the season to start. I've just got to keep working hard."
