Dele Alli's footballing career has gone from bad to worse as he has been axed from the Besiktas squad and left in limbo until the summer, it has been claimed.
Alli, 26, was once regarded as one of European football's brightest talents, but his career has stalled in recent years. Tottenham allowed him to join Everton on a free transfer in January 2022 before the Toffees offloaded him to Turkish side Besiktas last summer.
The England international was hoping to revive his career in Turkey but has failed to make an impression. He has scored just two goals in 13 league appearances and was omitted for the squad for their recent wins against MKE Ankaragucu and Istanbul Basaksehir.
Alli has struggled for minutes since Senol Gunes succeeded Valerien Ismael as Besiktas manager in October. The former MK Dons star has started just four league games under the veteran manager and reports in Turkey claim Alli may not play for Besiktas again.
According to Turkish outlet Takvim, Gunes is not planning on selecting Alli again. The playmaker is expected to watch Besiktas' remaining games from the stands before returning to Everton in the summer once his season-long loan spell comes to an end.
Alli's decline has been remarkable. The Englishman hit the headlines as a teenager when he inspired boyhood club MK Dons to promotion from League One in May 2015. He was named as the Football League's Young Player of the Year for his effort.
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Alli moved to Tottenham in the summer of 2015 and became a Premier League sensation. The midfielder scored 32 goals in all competitions during his first two seasons at White Hart Lane to be named the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017.
Alli also became a regular at international level - representing England at Euro 2016 in France and the 2018 World Cup in Russia - and was part of the Tottenham side that reached the Champions League final in June 2019, which ended in defeat to Liverpool.
Yet Alli's form dropped after Mauricio Pochettino was sacked as Tottenham manager in November 2019. Pochettino's successor Jose Mourinho tried to get the best out of the player - famously warning him to up his standards because "time flies" - but failed to do so.
Tottenham eventually decided to cut their loses in January 2022, as Everton agreed to sign Alli on a free transfer. The Toffees are required to pay Spurs up to £40million in add-ons, with the first £10m owed when he makes 20 appearances for the club.
Alli failed to scored in his first 13 Premier League appearances for Everton. That persuaded the Merseyside club to send him out on loan - a move that has not reignited his career. Alli turns 27 next month and it is unclear where his future lies.
Alli will still have a year remaining on his contract when he returns to Everton - who are now under the management of Sean Dyche - in the summer. Dyche will either try to get the best out of the fallen star or allow him to leave Goodison Park.
