Before the 2018 World Cup I met Dele Alli in the sports hall at St George’s Park, where England train. I said to him: “Do you realise how much ability you have got?”
Ever since I was a kid I would get an England shirt with a name on the back for a big tournament. I had Rooney in 2006 in Germany, Gerrard in 2010. In 2018, I got Dele’s name, that’s how much I admired his talent. He had everything. Physique, technique, genuine natural ability to go from box to box. He could run with it, pass, time his runs.
But he’s become this guy, four years on, who is unrecognisable. The initial criticism of him was: Is he too nice? The best in the world tend to be really ruthless with a devil about them that Dele didn’t have. I thought OK, no matter, he can still get to the top. Only three years ago he started for Spurs in a Champions League final.
But he has fallen off a cliff so badly I am wondering if there is something deeper we don’t know. I am reluctant to weigh in after the problems I had at the end of my career. But I am searching for reasons why, and I’d love him to call me and chat, like other players in trouble have done in the past.
I need to find out, because he had every quality of a modern midfielder… everything people are now lauding Jude Bellingham for. I’d say Dele you still have the chance to talk to people, take counsel, and work through what’s missing. Start with Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole at Everton. Pochettino too.
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? 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.
He’s 25, and could still have 5-6 years at the top level of the top flight and contribute to a football club. But this is his crossroads. You can’t take 80-100 grand a week winging it around clubs with managers who will always think they are the one to get something out of him.
It would be unfair to do that if he doesn’t have the appetite. He has to be honest. If he wants to drift, go backpacking around the world and spend the good few quid he’s earned. Maybe he needs to have an Ash Barty moment. So many tennis players and swimmers get to their mid-20s and think they’ve been doing sport for years. They ask: why put myself through it? It’s not important anymore.
Why not footballers? In past eras players had to flog it to the end in their 30s because they needed to earn. Now at the top level they don’t. You can play for five years, and go and live the rest of your life.
Dele Alli may decide he doesn’t love it anymore. Go and find something you are passionate about, and don’t cheat the game by going on a circus around other Premier League clubs.
He’d be cheating the fans and clubs and managers of those clubs. He’s gone from the next golden midfielder in Europe, to people asking if he is still a Premier League player. The answers can only come from Dele. Look in the mirror and be honest: Do you want to be a pro or not? Don’t drift for another five years because that would be a crime against his ability.
