Prodigal MK Dons midfielder, Dele Alli, received the Young Player of the Year award at the annual Football League Awards last night, fending off stiff competition from Patrick Bamford and Nathan Redmond.

The only award up for grabs which considered footballers in each of the three leagues, three outstanding young English prospects were nominated. Patrick Bamford, on loan at Middlesbrough from Chelsea, Nathan Redmond, of Norwich City, and Dele Alli, of Milton Keynes Dons, were the three nominees.

Combined, the three have 34 league goals this season as their three clubs all battle for promotion in the latter stages of the season. It was Alli, however, who walked away from the ceremony with the prestigious Young Player of the Year award.

Alli, who joined Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur for £5 million in January, has been exceptional for the MK Dons in their battle for promotion to the Championship. Having only just turned 19, a return of 16 goals in all competitions in his second full season of professional football is second to none.

In a Dons side which has scored 90 league goals this season, Alli has been the focal point for most, if not all, of the positives. Despite spending more than a month on the side-lines with injury, the MK Dons going on one of their worst runs this season with him, Alli has returned in time for the final promotion push as the MK Dons find themselves one point behind second placed Preston North End.

The £5 million fee Tottenham paid for the young Englishman is credit to the player, his club and manager Carl Robinson who have turned Alli into one of the most exciting prospects in the country. Comparisons to players such as Steven Gerrard only go to further highlight the potential and skill Alli possesses, and some strikes this season would be impressive for Gerrard himself.

Having beaten established England under-21 internationals and Championship players to the Young Player of the Year award, it would take a brave man to bet against Alli continuing to go from strength to strength and lighting up the Premier League for Tottenham Hotspur next season.

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