Dele Alli is aiming high as England U21s head to Norway

The Three Lions travel to Norway from their base at St. George's Park on Sunday morning for their first Euro Qualifier in Drammen on Monday.

And, after impressing on his U21s debut in Thursday’s victory over USA in Preston, the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder is targeting three points from what boss Gareth Southgate has already described as the toughest game in the group.

"The first game is always a big one and we want to get a win to start off with the points," said Alli, who is one of a number of first-time call-ups in Southgate’s new-look U21s squad.

"It’s a big game and we want to do as well as we can. It was a good performance from the team on Thursday, we haven’ t been together that long but there’s some real chemistry between the boys.

"There were a lot of positives and hopefully we can take them into our next game on Monday."

Alli’s selection in the U21s is the latest step in his career. He was a first-team regular for MK Dons at 16 before impressing in the following years to earn a £5 million move to Spurs in January.

His affection for the Dons, his hometown club, is still apparent and after remaining there on loan until the end of last season, he is now challenging for a spot in the Spurs team.

And the 19-year-old admits that he has managed to take things in his stride so far, having already scored his first Premier League goal for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

Alli is one of the new faces in Gareth Southgate's U21s squad this season

"It’s probably confidence, I’m very relaxed and chilled and I don’t think too much about things, so nothing really phases me," he explains.

"I’ve had a great start at Tottenham, but there’s some great players and they’ve all helped me settle in really well. 

"They’re all top guys, top people and have been really nice to me.

"It all helps me - making my debut at Tottenham and getting my first goal and then being here with the U21s for the first time. I’m really happy and thankful to everyone that has helped me."

An elegant figure in midfield, Alli plays the game in a fluent and almost effortless way which is appreciated by team-mates and spectators alike.

His attitude makes him popular with coaches too and after three years of working under Karl Robinson at stadiummk, he admits his move to White Hart Lane was influenced by the presence of Pochettino.

"When I was signing that was a massive factor as, after leaving Karl and MK, I thought it was important to go somewhere with the same philosophy and a manager who helps younger players," he explained.

Alli holds off the ball against two USA U23 midfielders at Deepdale

"Thankfully, they have that, as did the people at the MK Dons Academy, so I can’t thank them enough.

"I’d been with the [MK Dons] first team since I was 16, and after playing in a first team for that long I feel as though I’m mature enough to play older than what I am.

"I’m comfortable in my ability and I’ve had a great start.

"I just take things step-by-step, and keep doing things as well as I can and when I’m summoned to play, hopefully I’ll be ready for it."

He certainly is not short of role models at Spurs either, with the likes of new team-mate Harry Kane an example of a player who has made the step up from the U21s and into Roy Hodgson’s senior team.

And Kane is someone who Alli admits to keeping a close eye on and taking inspiration from.

Alli scored his first goal for Spurs in their 1-1 draw with Leicester City last month

"Harry is a top player and shows it every day in training and games," he said.

"He helps with little things on the pitch, tactics and stuff, and he told me to just keep working hard.

"But it’s the same for all of the youngsters with the older boys, they like to help us as much as they can.

"I just try to take it all in and play as well as I can."

England face Norway at 5.45pm (BST) on Monday evening. Follow the action from the game via @England Twitter.