'He almost single-handedly kept Luton in the Championship': The expert view on Portsmouth newcomer Millenic Alli
The Pompey newcomer scored has five goals in 38 games for Luton after joining in January 2025
Millenic Alli ‘almost single-handedly’ kept Luton in the Championship during a dazzling end to last season.
Now the pacy winger has been backed to potentially thrive once more, having returned to that level following a Fratton Park loan switch.
According to Mike Simmonds, Luton reporter for Luton Today, the 25-year-old has struggled to live up to expectations with the Hatters this season after relegation to League One.
Immediately challenged with keeping Luton in the Championship, the attacker netted four goals in his final six matches, including a last-gasp leveller at Stoke and a winner at Derby, but couldn’t prevent the inevitable.
Inevitably, much was anticipated of Alli this season, with supporters delighted to see him remain in the summer - and, six months on, he has now joined Pompey’s battle against the drop.
‘A real fans’ favourite’
Simmonds told The News: ‘After Milli arrived from Exeter, it took him a while to break into the side. Then he almost single-handedly kept Luton in the Championship.
‘Needing a draw at West Brom on the final day to stay up, the Hatters lost 5-3, yet he scored two of them to end the season on a real high.
‘Following relegation, he was one of the players that everybody thought would be amazing in League One, especially considering the way he finished that Championship season. He was a real fans’ favourite they were desperate to keep.
‘Luton got rid of 10-11 players last summer because they all didn’t want to play in League One, but Alli stayed, which everyone was delighted about.
‘Unfortunately, when Matt Blomfield was in charge, he preferred to play with a back three, putting Alli in a wing-back role. He’s a winger really, though.
‘Then, when Jack Wilshere was appointed in October, he didn’t perform to his potential and ended up starting four games, with people like Jake Richards and Gideon Kodua coming in and staying in the side.
‘I wasn’t surprised to see Alli move on, he wasn’t in Luton’s last six squads, including Tuesday night’s EFL Trophy defeat to Swindon.
‘They’ve been doing okay recently, although not winning as many games as they should have been. The fact he still wasn’t making squads meant most people expected him to be going this month.
‘When Alli came in 12 months ago, he eventually hit some great form, he had his own song and was very highly thought of by the fans after a few months. Now he’s back in the Championship, he could be a good signing for Pompey.
‘He can score in the Championship and he has played well in the Championship. If he gets a run of games and has the confidence of his manager and the fans, then he’s an exciting player who can create and score goals.’
Alli has been a latecomer to the Football League, arriving at Exeter at the age of almost 24 in January 2024.
He had previously seen service with South Shields, Workington, Ashton United, Chorley and FC Halifax Town before getting his big break in League One.
Then, after 43 appearances and 16 goals for the Grecians, he moved onto Luton 12 months later - now he’s a Pompey player.
‘He likes to shoot!’
Simmonds added: ‘Milli plays on the left and comes onto his right foot - and likes to shoot a lot!
‘It’s not always his best attribute, he’d often try to shoot from quite strange angles and wouldn't always test the goalkeeper, but was willing to have a go.
‘He’s really quick, happy to run at his man, and his ideal position would probably be on the left of a front three or as an out-and-out winger. Alli has the potential to do well for Pompey.’