Mauricio Pochettino says the 'devil' in Dele Alli will return after claims his player lacks the edge that once made him so dangerous.
But the Tottenham manager insists it will not be Roy Keane, Graeme Souness and Co who prompt a reaction, because everyone inside the club is laughing at their opinions.
Keane has accused Alli, 23, of losing his 'hunger' and Souness said recently: 'He's a classic case of someone who's in his armchair.' Gary Neville branded Alli 'half the player' he was.
Before facing Everton on Sunday, Pochettino said: 'It is still there inside Dele. We spoke to him about improving different areas. But for sure, the devil is going to appear again.
'I don't know when. But for sure it will. If you go back, we all criticised him, but I liked that Dele Alli. Sometimes players being a bit naughty makes that difference.
'We know very well Dele is going to be back. When Dele was scoring goals, it was easy to embrace him. Now, when he is maybe not at his best, that is the most important time to embrace him and say, "I trust you and I know you will get back to your best".
'It is too easy now to criticise him. If you go on TV, you need to talk and say something.
'When you are not in the (club), you do not have all of the information. Then people in the club are laughing about your opinion.