Dutch playmaker Rafael van der Vaart has challenged the future stars at former club Tottenham to match his impressive record at White Hart Lane.
Following Dele Alli's two-goal display during Spurs' 4-1 win over Southampton on Wednesday evening, stats have emerged that the young Englishman boasts an impressive record playing for Tottenham when it comes to goal involvements in a player's first 50 matches at the club.
Of midfielders in their first 50 PL apps for Spurs, only Rafael van der Vaart has had a greater goal involvement than Dele Alli #PL #THFC pic.twitter.com/xfbUt86DOx
Alli has so far scored 16 goals and assisted a further 10 since joining Spurs back in the summer of 2015. His record after 50 games is only bettered by former midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, who himself netted 20 goals before creating a further 12 for his teammates.
With his goal involvements standing at 32, Van der Vaart is six clear of Alli and upon hearing the news that his record remains in tact, the 33-year-old, who now plays in Denmark for FC Midtjylland, was quick to challenge Tottenham's future stars to match his stats.
Which Spurs midfielder Will challenge me next? ? @spursofficial #Goodmemories #THFC #greatclub https://t.co/LOoWyORgaR
Writing on Twitter, the Dutchman wrote: "Which Spurs midfielder will challenge me next?" in reference to his record regarding goal involvements at Tottenham.
Van der Vaart enjoyed two successful years at White Hart Lane after joining the club from Real Madrid back in 2010. As skillful midfielder with an eye for goal, he quickly became a fan favourite and ended the 2010/2011 campaign as the club's leading scorer in the Premier League with 13 goals.
With Alli unable to break the 50 game record, the onus will now be on another one of Tottenham's bright prospects to come into the team and make an immediate impact, if Van der Vaart's record is to be broken.