Ally McCoist has called it “really, really sad” after Dele Alli was tipped to leave Everton without playing another game for the club.
The talkSPORT analyst replied live on air on February 14 in response to reporter Alex Crook’s suggestion that the midfield player for the Toffees won’t return under Sean Dyche and may have to join fellow former England colleague Jesse Lingard overseas, potentially to Saudi Arabia.
After a string of injury setbacks, the Goodison Park manager acknowledged a day earlier that Dele, 27, still had “a long way to go” [Liverpool Echo, 13 February].
“Obviously Jesse Lingard couldn’t get a major European club, he’s had to go to South Korea,” Crook stated at 8:09 a.m. Dele Alli may have to consider playing overseas since I believe he will have trouble finding a prestigious Premier League team.
“There would be the Saudi Arabia route, I’m sure he would be of interest there given his pedigree as a former England international but wherever he does go I just hope that Dele Alli can get his career back on track because there’s no doubt that, on form, he’s such a talented player.”
McCoist responded: “I just find that whole thing so sad. Lingard as well. I’ve got to say that I find, particularly in Dele Alli’s case, it’s really, really sad.”
Dele Alli tipped for Everton exit and Saudi Arabia move
It’s obvious that Dele’s football career hasn’t gone as planned lately, but there have occasionally been more pressing problems since he opened up to Gary Neville in the summer about his personal challenges [Sky Sports, July 13].
Setbacks due to injuries can only be regrettable events, but Dyche said the former Tottenham player was doing well under the given conditions.
Given that his current contract is slated to end in the summer and he doesn’t appear to be making much of an impact on the Everton team this season, it is possible that he will leave before playing any more games.
It remains to be seen if an inexpensive extension can be arranged and what that would entail regarding the existing conditions of the agreement with Spurs, where the London team is owed £10 million after another seven games, especially given that negotiations appeared to be derailed early in the season.
When Everton acquired Dele two January windows ago, they will have known that they were taking a chance, and on the pitch, it hasn’t worked out very well.
He undoubtedly would like to be back playing regularly in the Premier League if given the option, but because some of the circumstances off the pitch appear to have improved, it’s not necessary to look the whole thing negatively.
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