Dele Alli has been advised by ex-Liverpool midfielder Stan Collymore to walk away and ‘move on with life’ if he is no longer enjoying professional football.
The 25-year-old, Dele Alli, is yet to start a game under new Everton manager Frank Lampard and appears to be a shell of the guy who excelled at Tottenham under Mauricio Pochettino three years ago.
Collymore has volunteered his assistance in his Mirror column but stresses that the Everton midfielder must answer ‘serious’ questions in order to determine whether football is in his destiny.
‘Dele must address some significant issues for himself and no one else. He must inquire: ‘Do you wish to play professional football or are you unfit?’ Collymore penned an op-ed in his column.’
‘Dele Alli may decide he no longer loves it. Find a cause to which you are committed, and avoid cheating the game by staging a circus around other Premier League clubs. He would be defrauding fans, clubs, and their management.’
‘He’s gone from being Europe’s next golden midfielder to having people question whether he’s still a Premier League player. Only Dele has the answers.’
‘Be honest with yourself: Do you want to be a pro or not? Avoid drifting for another five years, as this would be a betrayal of his ability.’
Alli left Tottenham in January and signed a contract extension with Everton until 2024.
There was hope that he would be able to resurrect his career and force his way back into Gareth Southgate’s plans for England.
‘It’s a new beginning for Dele Alli, but we must also push him to extract what he has. I simply need to locate the ideal atmosphere for him. I’m overjoyed to have him and Donny at Everton,’ Lampard stated during his first press conference as manager.’
‘Alli is a versatile player who is capable of contributing to build-up play. It’s enjoyable to manage someone who works in a field that overlaps with mine.’
‘A player like Donny is someone who has the ability to connect plays. Slightly distinct from what we currently have. Dele, too, possesses an adaptable character.’
However, reality has been far bleaker for Alli, and Collymore has suggested that the former Tottenham midfielder could do worse than follow former tennis world No. 1 Ash Barty’s route.
Barty, 25, chose to retire from tennis as a defending Grand Slam champion, ensuring she did go in style.
‘Perhaps he requires an Ash Barty moment,’ he continued. Many tennis players and swimmers reach their mid-twenties believing they have been involved in sport for years. They inquire, “Why am I putting myself through this?” It is irrelevant at this point.’