Dele Alli: Tottenham will sorely miss "unbelievable player" Christian Eriksen

Dele Alli admitted that Tottenham will sorely miss Christian Eriksen who has started a new chapter in his career in Italy. Eriksen completed a long-awaited move to Inter Milan on Tuesday afternoon in a deal reportedly worth €20million.

Spurs cash in on Eriksen

Spurs accepted the cut-price offer as the Danish playmaker was in the final six months of his contract and stood to earn nothing for the player if he had waited until June to move on. Manager José Mourinho claimed Eriksen lacked motivation but England international Alli had nothing but praise for his former team-mate, who spent six-and-a-half seasons in north London.

"He's a worldie," Alli told Sky Sports. "I sent him a sad face on message, but I'm sure I'll speak to him. He's an unbelievable player. Yeah, he'll be missed here, but this is a different step in his career. Since the start of the season there's been a lot of speculation and now it's gone through I wish him all the best, because he's a great friend and a great person."

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Alli aiming to improve under Mourinho

Eriksen struggled to cement a regular place in Mourinho's starting XI but Alli has had no such trouble, fast becoming a favourite under the former Manchester United manager. The 23-year-old's form has improved since Mauricio Pochettino made way in November and he said was "feeling good" after a difficult start to the campaign.

"The more mature I'm getting, the more I'm playing and learning not just about football but about life," Alli said. "It's nice to be praised, but the same people can be waiting to shoot you down. So you keep working hard, and listen to the right people. Whoever you choose to listen to is the main thing – the manager, players, team-mates and people around the club, their opinion is important. I think I can always do better. I've played well in some games, and in others I know I haven't played good enough."