The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder is now out of contract. Dele Alli has joined the Everton squad for pre-season training. The midfielder is still working on regaining full fitness at the Toffees’ Finch Farm training facility, having not featured in almost a year. Dele’s contract with Goodison Park expires at the end of the 2023-24 season. The former England international joined Everton from Tottenham Hotspur on January transfer deadline day 2022.
It was a risk taken by then-manager Frank Lampard, since Dele’s form dipped significantly at Spurs despite being regarded as one of Europe’s hottest talents. However, the Blues were unable to replicate Dele’s greatest form. He did make an impression coming off the bench in the famous 3-2 win over Crystal Palace, which clinched Premier League survival. Otherwise, he struggled. Dele made 13 appearances before being loaned to Besiktas for the 2022-23 season, although he did not make an impression at the Turkish club. In April 2023, he needed hip surgery, which cut his stint short.
Dele then went to a rehabilitation clinic in America last summer because he had an addiction to sleeping pills, and he bravely opened up about being abused by his mother’s friend when he was six years old and being forced to sell narcotics when he was eight. However, he was unable to participate in 2023-24 and needed another groin operation around the new year. Dele’s contract has expired, but Everton is ensuring that he returns to full condition. They want to see that he fully recovers, as the 28-year-old hopes to make a comeback.
Kevin Thelwell, Director of Football, stated: “Dele’s contract is coming to an end, but our medical team will continue to support him while he completes the arduous rehabilitation programme he is now on following the operation he had earlier this year. Both Sean and I agree that it is crucial that we ensure Dele’s rehabilitation is not jeopardized by his contract status at this critical juncture in his recuperation.”
Dele, who appeared as a pundit on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football last season, indicated that he hopes to re-enter England’s World Cup squad in 2026. He has shared footage of himself training over the offseason on Instagram.
