‘One man I am prepared to put my neck on the line for is Dele Alli. He is going to be a massive player for Spurs again. I’m not saying he’ll be back in the England side or anything like that but I believe he will show his best form.’
That statement was made by yours truly on the opening day of this season. Dele is a player I’ve always loved to watch and I have great belief in his ability. I won’t try to kid you and say his form since then has been outstanding because, quite obviously, it hasn’t been good enough.
It has been suggested that has lost his love for football and stopped trying but that doesn’t fit with the things I’ve heard. I believe he has worked hard in training and looked to learn from those around him. Joe Hart told me in an interview last summer that his attitude couldn’t be faulted.
Dele Alli has been handed a fresh start after completing a deadline day move to Everton
New Everton boss Frank Lampard (left) will be tasked with getting the best out of a poor Alli
Each time I looked at him for Tottenham, however, something was missing. He has only scored two goals this season — with his sole strike in the Premier League, a penalty, coming all the way back on August 22. That is not an accurate indication of his talent.
My hopes that he would get back to the levels I know he can reach were boosted on Monday. Of all the deals that were done in the hours before the transfer window closed, none excited me more than Dele joining Everton. What an opportunity this is — he must grab it with both hands.
There are no excuses now. Frank Lampard has shown a huge amount of faith, offering him a chance at a club with a great pedigree, and he will be such a positive influence. Few were better at scoring from midfield than Everton’s new manager and Dele must learn from him every day.
If he does that, I don’t think his dreams of playing for England again are over. The last time he played for England was in the Nations League third place play-off against Switzerland in Guimaraes on June 9, 2019. He was only 23 then and that was his 37th cap.
The former Tottenham midfielder’s last England appearance came in 2019 against Switzerland
That story chimes with me. I was 23 the last time I played for England against the Netherlands at Wembley in February 2012, when Stuart Pearce was the caretaker manager. I was in the form of my life for Manchester City at that time but I felt inhibited that evening and didn’t play as I could.
Heading away from the stadium that night, I had a feeling that would be it for me with England and so it proved. When I look at Dele, though, I get the sense there is unfinished business; that the guy who scored against Sweden in the 2018 World Cup quarter-final is waiting to appear once more.
Let me stress this point: I’m not saying that leaving Spurs suddenly means Gareth Southgate will be on the phone to him and asking about his availability for the March friendlies against Switzerland and the Ivory Coast. Dele has been out of the picture for a long time.
What I am saying, however, is that he has the talent to get back into contention down the line. Yes, Dele has had a disappointing couple of years but let’s not forget the impact he had in the team Mauricio Pochettino took to the Champions League final in 2019.
Alli (right) was excellent under Mauricio Pochettino (left) at Spurs but has failed to be on form
You don’t score the amount of goals Dele did if you don’t have outstanding ability. He isn’t a player who is silky and smooth and has all kind of tricks but he is strong, incredibly effective when arriving late in the area and has composure when chances come to him.
That’s why I am intrigued about how Lampard will use him. I don’t want see him in the No 4 or No 6 position, trying to build the play from midfield — he is, in my view, more like an old-fashioned second striker, capable of delivering big moments.
Nonetheless, the question everyone is asking is if he can still produce. Leaving London is significant and being in a smaller city, where football matters more than anything, can be beneficial. Everton fans expect, above all, players who work hard and are committed — and that brings pressure.
But it is the kind of pressure that a footballer should embrace and it should prove inspirational. If Dele clicks in a Blue shirt, he will be loved and if he get to the levels I know he can, the relegation talk that has haunted Everton throughout the winter will be banished once and for all.
Alli (left) can help steer the Toffees away from the relegation zone with a quick Everton start
Even when things were at their most toxic at Goodison, I didn’t expect them to go down and Lampard’s arrival has certainly changed the feel of he place. Here is the moment for Everton to get back on the front foot and Dele must do the same.
I understand why there are doubts and only once he gets a proper run of games will we see if the fire still burns inside him. I believe it does. It’s why I stand by everything I said back in August.
He can be a big player once again. It’s time for Dele to deliver.
BURNLEY NOW HAVE WOUT CLOUT FOR SURVIVAL FIGHT
Burnley sneaked a transfer across the line in the countdown to the deadline that may yet transform their season.
Wout Weghorst is a giant of a man, all 6ft 6ins of him, and I am convinced he will be perfect for Sean Dyche’s side.
Burnley completed the deadline day signing of 6ft 6in striker Wout Weghorst from Wolfsburg
I watched him a lot at Wolfsburg and he averaged a goal every other game; it was the same when he was at AZ Alkmaar.
I believe he has more strings to his bow than the recently departed Chris Wood and, for half the money they received from Newcastle, the business could prove to be outstanding if he hits the ground running.
If he does, Burnley have a chance of staying up.
MICAH’S MAN OF THE WEEK
The AFCON final has been billed a shootout between two Liverpool stars, Mo Salah’s Egypt against Sadio Mane’s Senegal.
Salah, of course, commands the headlines but it wouldn’t be right if his team-mate didn’t get some serious recognition.
Sadio Mane (above) can break Liverpool team-mate Mo Salah’s heart in Sunday’s AFCON final
There is a feeling, sometimes, that the way Liverpool set up makes Mane a great player but he has shown in this tournament he’d be a great player no matter which team he represented.
His form has been outstanding and it’s about time he was appreciated on a wider scale for what he is worth.
I AM TOTALLY UP FOR THE CUP AT KIDDERMINSTER!
I will be at Kidderminster on Saturday lunchtime and I cannot wait.
I’m fed up of hearing criticism about the FA Cup and people saying it is not exciting when ties such as this one, where a non-league side can come up against Premier League opponents, come out the hat.
Non-league Kidderminster Harriers face a wonderful FA Cup tie with West Ham on Saturday
Many people’s memories of football are connected to The FA Cup and I could fill this page with examples of why it means so much to me.
No other tournament provides the potential for a fairytale like this and while West Ham will be hot favourites, this fixture has those three magic words: you never know.