Former Tottenham player Dele Alli has responded with an emotional message after being booed off by Besiktas fans in a recent cup game. The Turkish side were losing in the first half of a cup game, prompting Alli to be substituted off early in the game to a hostile reception from supporters.
It marks a difficult start to life for the 26-year-old since he made the move to Besiktas, where there will be hopes of rebooting his career at the top level. The midfielder left Spurs last January on a deadline day switch to Everton to join up with manager Frank Lampard.
In that time, he managed just 13 appearances for the Toffees, failing to find the sort of form that saw him a regular for the Lilywhites and the England national team. It led to a loan move with Besiktas going through in the summer, in hopes of capturing that once again.
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It's been a struggle for Alli though, who has made just seven league appearances with one goal so far. Besiktas sporting director Ceyhun Kazanci spoke out on his struggles, claiming that work is being done to return to his best: "No one can answer whether Dele Alli can do it right now. He is working very hard. He is a player who reached €100m [in value] three years ago." He told TRT Spor.
In wake of boos from the Besiktas support, Alli has broken his silence on social media, posting a picture of himself holding a football on Instagram. The caption read: "You saved my life. That's why I will always love you."
It's a clear message from the former Tottenham man that he isn't giving up on his love for football, but it will take more than that for him to rediscover the best years of his career so far.
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