Dele Alli will not be on the pitch, but in the studio as Everton plays Chelsea in the Premier League due to his extended absence from playing. Alli’s last competitive match was with Besiktas in February 2023. His time at Everton has been plagued by injuries, preventing his return to play. The midfielder’s career took a dramatic turn since leaving Tottenham in January 2022, and he hopes to kickstart it again at 28 years old. Despite his promising early years under Mauricio Pochettino, his time at Everton has not gone to plan, with only 13 appearances in over two years.
After ending his tenure with Tottenham, Dele Alli sought a fresh start with a transfer to Everton in January 2022. The decision to sign Alli was made by Frank Lampard with the hope of reviving the midfielder’s career. However, injuries and a lack of playing time have hindered his progress. He was loaned to Besiktas in August 2022, where he scored three goals in 15 appearances before returning to Everton due to injury. Alli’s signing was viewed as a misstep by some fans due to Everton’s financial position and the clause requiring them to pay Spurs £10 million upon his 20th appearance.
Dele Alli opened up about his personal struggles in an emotional interview with Gary Neville last summer. He revealed his addiction to sleeping pills, experiences of molestation, and thoughts of retirement at a young age. Alli made the brave decision to seek help by going to rehab and expressed gratitude for Everton’s support during that tumultuous time. Despite his efforts to regain match fitness, injuries and Everton’s financial struggles have impeded his return to competitive play. Everton manager Sean Dyche has been supportive of Alli’s situation, but it seems unlikely he will play for Everton again with his contract set to expire in June.
Although Dele Alli’s comeback seemed promising at the start of the 2023/24 season, setbacks have prevented his return to the pitch. Everton’s financial troubles and the clause requiring them to pay Spurs £10 million upon Alli’s 20th appearance have added to the challenges. Alli’s absence from Monday Night Football against Chelsea serves as a clear indication that his time at Everton may be coming to an end, with hopes that this summer could be the turning point he needs. Despite the obstacles he has faced, Dele Alli remains determined to revive his career and once again make his mark in football. His presence in the studio rather than on the field reflects a moment of reflection and transition in his professional journey.
