Dele Alli at Everton

['O Zio]

And he was assaulted and robbed at knifepoint in his own home. I'm not saying it is or isn't a contributing factor but different people deal with trauma like home invasions in different ways.

I may be wrong on the numbers but in my head he was very poor for 2-3 years before that happened. That was only like a year before he left spurs wasn't it? Obviously I'm sure it's had a lasting effect on him generally to some degree, but I don't think it's what caused his demise.

 

[isaac94]

thing is dele could only play in 1 position, the role behind Kane, which played to his strengths of great movement etc; any other position really showed his shortcomings as a player, and in modern football the playing behind the striker is becoming rarer, making a player like dele obsolete,

 

[FibreOpticJesus]

There's always the fall-back of Club Ambassador and working the lounges on match days...

At Milton Keynes…

 

[daveduvet]

I’m really beginning to wonder if he’s okay mentally? And I don’t mean that in a horrible way.
I like many people thought it was just attitude issues etc etc, but I’m genuinely beginning to believe he’s losing his head.

The fact he’s been sent to the stands to see the rest of his season out will be a very lonely place. I hope he is doing ok mentally, but it is a major concern - emotionally - that his footballing career has dwindled so quickly… I really hope those nearest to him nudge him towards psychotherapy or similar

 

[Duke of Northumberland]

At Milton Keynes…

Harsh!

 

[Duke of Northumberland]

I’m really beginning to wonder if he’s okay mentally? And I don’t mean that in a horrible way.
I like many people thought it was just attitude issues etc etc, but I’m genuinely beginning to believe he’s losing his head.

I’ve said this before but he had that break-in robbery and assault- pinned against the wall at knifepoint. He seemed to lose his aggression in games around that time. You wonder what that might have done to a person.

 

[Whazam]

I still don't quite get how he has ended up here after he left us. Watched a lot of Everton last season and even if he wasn't the best, he seemed really useful for them. Everyone also seemed to agree he was one of the players who kept them up when it mattered the most.

Now, I haven't seen him this season, but one moment he is reported having scored a goal and put in a MoTM performance, and two weeks later we're told he's not going to play again in Besiktas. What the F is going on here?

 

[isaac94]

I still don't quite get how he has ended up here after he left us. Watched a lot of Everton last season and even if he wasn't the best, he seemed really useful for them. Everyone also seemed to agree he was one of the players who kept them up when it mattered the most.

Now, I haven't seen him this season, but one moment he is reported having scored a goal and put in a MoTM performance, and two weeks later we're told he's not going to play again in Besiktas. What the F is going on here?

think thats being generous to dele, he was generally poor for Everton bar one half against palace, and same with besiktas, mostly been below-par performances

 

[Whazam]

think thats being generous to dele, he was generally poor for Everton bar one half against palace, and same with besiktas, mostly been below-par performances

Maybe, but who wasn't below par for Everton last season? He was FAR from the worst player in the team in any of the five plus matches I watched.

But I hear you, we are obviously at this point for a reason.

Edit: It just feels so weirdly extreme.

 

[daveduvet]

Just had a general read up on his upbringing - pretty disjointed; wasn’t aware he’d lived in Nigeria for a couple of years when his dad remarried…
Dele’s mum was an alcoholic too…
Given his family history; the violent robbery; his ‘meteoric’ rise to footballing fame & all that brought..
a huge amount to carry round … really genuinely hope he seeks help to heal some of his wounds .. for me, a gifted footballer to watch when he was at his best

 

[PLTuck]

Sod it, bring him to Crawley.

I bet Woking could find a place for him too!

 

[easley91]

I bet Woking could find a place for him too!

Might just add him to the squad for my next FIFA career mode playthrough. Such a shame seeing what has happened to him over the last few years.

 

[Gassin's finest]

 

[agrdavidsfan]

Having had the pleasure of meeting this lad twice its just a real shame he lost that aggression and cheeky spark, then I think the Dele’s brother thing blew up and kicked him as he was struggling after those hamstring issues reminds me of how Michael owen tailed off pretty quicky from superstar to decent.

 

[sidford]

Everton supposedly going to cancel his contract this week after he has returned from Turkey for "injury treatment".

Theres a really bad picture of him doing the rounds appearing to be doing balloons in a flat in Manchester. So sad what's happened to him. His song is the first one my 2 girls learned, what a talent he was.

 

[aliyid]

I don't think Trent will deteriorate like Dele but he's had a very difficult year so it's food for thought.

I think the comparison is spookily close

Dele’s downfall came when he started trying to improve areas of his game he was poor at (defensive positioning, ball retention) rather than lean into what he was good at (creating chaos, annoying opposition, finding space).

Likewise Trent has become more defensive in an effort to minimise his weak areas. But all it’s done is invite more pressure and mistakes while taking away what he’s good at going forward.

Dele is an average CM (but was an exceptional creative ATM) while Trent is an average RB but an exceptional RWB/RW.

It’s a common thing where people feel the need to become a more complete well rounded player rather than doubling down on what they’re good at.

 

[BorjeSpurs]

I think the comparison is spookily close

Dele’s downfall came when he started trying to improve areas of his game he was poor at (defensive positioning, ball retention) rather than lean into what he was good at (creating chaos, annoying opposition, finding space).

Likewise Trent has become more defensive in an effort to minimise his weak areas. But all it’s done is invite more pressure and mistakes while taking away what he’s good at going forward.

Dele is an average CM (but was an exceptional creative ATM) while Trent is an average RB but an exceptional RWB/RW.

It’s a common thing where people feel the need to become a more complete well rounded player rather than doubling down on what they’re good at.

There is definitely a comparison to be had but Trent has so much talent in his right foot that will never go away.

Defensively he was poor again yesterday but offensively he was great. Great cross to Jota in the first half, then obviously makes the equaliser with his nutmeg and precise cross to Firmino. He almost creates the winner as well with the lifted ball that led to Konate’s big chance right at the end.

Maybe he needs to play wing back in the future to maximise his offensive talent while protecting his defensive inadequacies.

 

[mill]

Dele Alli surrounded by gas canisters with a balloon in his mouth

A picture posted on social media claiming to be in Salford shows the 26-year-old at a table laden with giant bottles of nitrous oxide, also known as 'hippy crack'.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[agrdavidsfan]

I don’t care what anyone says he is obviously battling demons and struggling to deal with them, if Everton release him it’s important to remember he is one of us.

Bring him back use him as the over 21 or whatever in the u21’s get help around him and a care package in place let’s try and rescue him at least before this turns into a horror story that none of us want to be part of

 

[rossdapep]

My worry for him is that he had so much so young that nothing will motivate him. Not just in football but in life.

I don't know how he is going to deal with once being the wonderboy to becoming a washed up millionaire.

Social media wont help either because it'll constantly remind him of that fact.

I agree wirh you @agrdavidsfan I hope Tottenham can find a way to help him. Not necessarily revive his career but help him move forward.