Matt Oldfield - Dele Alli (Ultimate Football Heroes--the No. 1 football series): Collect them all!

For all readers, young and old(er)

Matt Oldfield delivers sports writing workshops in schools, and is the author of Unbelievable Football and Johnny Ball: Accidental Football Genius. Tom Oldfield is a freelance sports writer and the author of biographies on Cristiano Ronaldo, Arsne Wenger and Rafael Nadal.

Cover illustration by Dan Leydon

To learn more about Dan visit danleydon.com

To purchase his artwork visit etsy.com/shop/footynews

TABLE OF CONTENTS

First of all, Id like to thank Bonnier Books UK and particularly my editor Laura Pollard for supporting me throughout and for running the ever-expanding UFH ship so smoothly. Writing stories for the next generation of football fans is both an honour and a pleasure.

I wouldnt be doing this if it wasnt for my brother Tom. I owe him so much and Im very grateful for his belief in me as an author. I feel like Robin setting out on a solo career after a great partnership with Batman. I hope I do him (Tom, not Batman) justice with these new books.

Next up, I want to thank my friends for keeping me sane during long hours in front of the laptop. Pang, Will, Mills, Doug, John, Charlie the laughs and the cups of coffee are always appreciated.

Ive already thanked my brother but Im also very grateful to the rest of my family, especially Melissa, Noah and of course Mum and Dad. To my parents, I owe my biggest passions: football and books. Theyre a real inspiration for everything I do.

Finally, I couldnt have done this without Ionas encouragement and understanding during long, work-filled weekends. Much love to you.

26 September 2018, Stadium MK

It felt good to be back. Three years after his big transfer to Tottenham, Dele was returning to Stadium MK, the place where his amazing football adventure had started. He was returning as a Premier League star and Spurs captain. His manager, Mauricio Pochettino, had given him the armband for his special homecoming.

Dele wouldnt be playing against his old club MK Dons, however. No Tottenham were taking on Watford in the Carabao Cup. But while their new stadium was being built, they had to play their home games elsewhere. Usually, that was Wembley, which wasnt available for this match. So, for one night only, Dele was back home, kicking off in Milton Keynes.

As he led the Tottenham players out onto the pitch, Deles mind was filled with many happy memories of Stadium MK:

His first goal against Cambridge City,

His first hat-trick against Crewe Alexandra,

Thrashing the mighty Manchester United 40,

And finally, winning promotion to the Championship.

Despite Deles many achievements since then, that League One runners-up trophy was still the only one that he had ever lifted as a professional player. Hopefully, however, he was going to make the Carabao Cup his second piece of silverware.

Fortunately, the first big chance of the game fell to Dele! After spreading a lovely ball out wide to Serge Aurier, he sprinted towards the six-yard box, as he loved to do.

Yes! Dele called out.

But instead, Serge passed to Lucas Moura, who swivelled and fired the ball across goal. It flew all the way through to the back post, but for once, Dele wasnt quite quick enough to react.

Nooooo! he sighed. What a chance to be a home-town hero again!

Never mind, there would be more chances to come. With fifteen minutes to go, Tottenham were losing 10, and on their way out of the Carabao Cup. But Dele couldnt let that happen, especially not on his special night as team captain.

So when rik Lamela passed him the ball, Dele drove powerfully into the box, with only one thing on his mind scoring a goal. But as he took a second touch, he was tripped by a Watford defender. Penalty!

There was no Harry Kane in the Tottenham team that day, so Dele stepped up to take it himself. Pressure? What pressure?! He had no doubt that he would score. With a deep breath and a short run-up, Dele swung his right leg at the ball. The keeper dived the right way, but the spot-kick landed safely in the bottom corner. 11!

Gooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllll lllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesssss! Dele roared, looking up at the sky and then up at the celebrating Spurs supporters.

He wasnt a true hometown hero yet, though, not unless Tottenham won. rik gave them a 21 lead, but then in the last minute, Watford equalised. There would be no extra-time; the match went straight to penalties.

Dele would take one, of course, but he didnt go first. Instead, he went fourth, once the expectations were even higher. By then, Son Heung-min, rik and Fernando Llorente had all already scored for Spurs. And their keeper, Paulo Gazzaniga, had already made two super saves to deny tienne Capoue and Domingos Quina.

So this was it: Deles chance to win it for Tottenham and show that he was still a hometown hero. After placing the ball down on the spot, Dele took two big steps back, keeping his eyes focused on the target. He wasnt afraid of anything, especially not match-winning moments like this.

Again, he aimed low for the bottom left corner, and again the keeper couldnt stop it. GOAL! Tottenham had won 42 on penalties they were through to the next round!

Nice one, mate! rik shouted as they high-fived happily.

Dele played it cool as he turned away to celebrate, but inside he was buzzing with pride and joy. On his emotional return to Stadium MK, he had scored two spot-kicks to win the tie for Spurs.

After shaking hands with all the Watford players, Dele walked around the pitch, clapping for the fans. Most had come from Tottenham, but some were locals who had bought tickets to welcome back their boy wonder.

Thank you! he called out to the crowd.

No matter how many Premier League, Champions League and World Cup matches he played in, Dele would always be that kid from Milton Keynes with the mischievous grin.

CREATING CHAOS AT
HEELANDS COURTS

Look whos back, lads! one of the men called out during a drinks break at Heelands Courts. Together, the footballers turned and watched as a little boy walked determinedly through the council estate and up to the court. Wow, hes brave, Ill give him that.

Good to see you again, kid! one of the players said with a smile as the boy entered the cage. Ready for Round Two?

Dele nodded eagerly.

Great, we thought we might have scared you off after last time! joked another.

Dele shook his head very seriously. No way, it would take a lot more than some big, strong men to scare him. Especially when it came to playing his new favourite game football.

Karl, one of the captains, clapped his hands. Okay, same teams as before, but well take sorry, whats your name again?

Dele, the boy replied. Dele Alli.

Thats right Deles on our team. Right, shall we get started again?

Suddenly, Karl seemed to remember that he was a responsible adult, even on the football court. Wait, your family does know where you are, right? he asked.

Again, Dele nodded his head eagerly. It was only a half-lie his mum, Denise, did know that he was outside playing somewhere around the council estate, just not