Ex-Tottenham player claims Alli ‘needs to rip it up in Championship’
Dele Alli needs to drop down to the Championship and “rip it up” as it “just hasn’t happened” for him at Everton, according to Darren Bent.
The Toffees signed Alli permanently from Tottenham Hotspur during the winter transfer window.
Prior to this, the midfielder’s form for Spurs had declined over the past couple of seasons. He only started seven times for them in 2021/22 before his exit in January.
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Alli has been unable to hit the ground running at Everton. He has failed to register a goal or an assist in his six appearances and he has only started once in the league.
Frank Lampard’s side currently sit 17th in the table. They are three points above Watford with two games in hand.
Bent thinks Alli may benefit from a season down in the Championship:
“I thought going to Everton with fresh surroundings would kind of kick him back into life. Completely different circumstances and different manager,” Bent told talkSPORT.
“It just hasn’t happened. What might need to happen and there’s no guarantees, and it’s a knock on his pride – but at the end of the day he’s not playing well – is maybe he needs to go down a division to the Championship and completely rip it up.
“If Everton were to go down, then he could absolutely rip it up as you’d expect him to be the best player in that division, get a bit of confidence and then maybe come back up.
“At the moment he can’t seem to get himself going. If they go down, what Premier League club would buy him?”
Stan Collymore has gone further than Bent, claiming that Alli should consider retiring from professional football:
“Dele needs to answer some serious question, for himself, no one else. He has to ask: Do you want to play professional football, or are you not cut out for it?” Collymore wrote in his column for The Mirror.
“If not, don’t do that, think of conning clubs into giving you a year, based on past reputations, and drift down the ranks. Everton, to Norwich, to the Championship. If no, then get to the end of your contract, and move on with life.
“If he doesn’t want to be a pro footballer, get your head down. I don’t think his clothing, or hair, or what he drives make a big difference but they can allude to a person’s character. I wonder what he is trying to portray. That he wants to be a bit bohemian and has given up on the life of a footballer?
“I am a massive advocate for mental health, and I’d say pull your finger out and start to move your life forward. Be more disciplined with yourself. Listen to Frank Lampard. Stay at the training ground longer. Be the first in and last out.”
