'I can express myself': Revitalised winger's debt of gratitude to Portsmouth after Luton Town frustration
The winger has made 10 appearances for the Blues, scoring once
Milli Alli has thanked John Mousinho for revitalising his career and providing another shot at the Championship.
Although the explosive 26-year-old is adamant the Fratton faithful still haven’t seen the best of him.
With Alli out-of-favour under Luton boss Jack Wilshere and unable to break into their League One squad at the turn of the year, Pompey swooped in the January transfer window to secure a loan deal.
Since then, the flying winger has proven to be a revelation, starting 10 successive matches and providing a constant threat on the left flank in the absence of Josh Murphy.
Sporting director Rich Hughes has already intimated the Blues would explore the opportunity for a permanent deal in the summer, although Alli remains unsure of where his future lies.
Nonetheless, he is loving life on the south coast - and has credited Mousinho for believing in him.
‘I’ve been able to go and express myself’
Alli told The News: ‘I feel like I have been given an opportunity, a fresh face and a different environment - and I’ve been able to go and express myself.
‘There are always instructions, in terms of how the gaffer wants to play, and it suits how I want to play also, so it went hand-in-hand perfectly.
‘I want to play as an attacking, direct winger, getting at the defender, with crosses and shots, creating opportunities. Just making people enjoy watching me play football - and anyone who plays similar to me will understand.
‘My situation at Luton was different, I wasn’t playing as much, some other people played instead and are doing very, very well, which is understandable. Things do change in football, though, quite quickly.
‘I’ve come in and played a lot of games, we’ve had some good results, it has been good so far. The gaffer put belief into me and I have been able to return the favour by training, playing and working hard, so I think it’s been good.
‘There is so much more to come as well, God willing. More goals, more assists, more wins, that’s what we need.’
Favoured left-wing role
Alli is featuring in his favoured left-wing position at Fratton Park, something he believes brings the best out of him.
Despite being right footed, he relishes going on the outside of the right-back, often finding a way to deliver from the byline, as demonstrated in John Swift’s goal against Millwall last month.
Certainly there is plenty of competition on the left flank, with Murphy and Harvey Blair also preferring that position. Although Murphy won’t play again this season after breaking a bone in his right foot.
He added: ‘It’s this new age of wingers, with the right footed on the left and left footed on the right. I am right footed, but I will go inside or outside.
‘I like to come inside and link up, it’s also good to be able to threaten down the line, that’s hard to defend.
‘Sometimes I need a five-minute break in a game to fly around again! Depending on what the score is and the time of the game, it can be quite hectic.’