Frank Lampard has rejected comparisons between himself and Dele Alli but admits the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder could threaten his Premier League goal record.
Former West Ham and Chelsea player Lampard is the fourth-highest scorer in Premier League history with 177 goals, and the only midfielder in the top 15.
Alli, 20, has earned comparisons with Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes but he reached 20 Premier League goals in fewer games than all three, and his goal against Everton on Sunday was his 13th in the league this season.
The 20-year-old scored 10 league goals last season but he has been playing further forward this term, often as a second striker behind Harry Kane.
Asked which player in the league was most like him, Lampard told Sky Sports: "Last year I would have said Dele Alli but I'm not sure. Alli has different strengths to me and I think now he is playing that bit further forward.
"His responsibility as a defender has completely gone. I have to say I agree with that decision, because when he's so clinical, when he makes such good runs around the box and is scoring so often with two really solid midfield players behind him, why does he need to get involved in that?
"Get him up where he can really hurt teams. He's got probably the in-form striker in the league up front [Harry Kane] and him behind. Those two at the moment are deadly."
"He could break records -- that's why I'm trying to call him a striker! I love his confidence, though," Lampard joked.
On Alli's goal against Everton, a deft flick from Harry Winks' quick free kick, Lampard said: "The finish is obviously class, but the run which he makes, that sharp run on the angle, that is the special bit for me.
"Running on the angle behind defenders as an attacking midfield player or a second striker will get you in so many times. He's got that instinct to sniff the right moment to do it.
"I think he's going to get better because playing in that team, they're creating lots of chances. The more times he makes those runs, he'll learn when to make them. If he keeps going like this he's going to have a fantastic career and rack up the goals."