Frank Lampard has admitted that Dele Alli ’s loan switch to Besiktas was the “right thing” for the midfielder and Everton.
The England international sealed a season-long loan move to the Turkish giants earlier this week, with a permanent switch potentially in the pipeline with a buy option slotted into the agreement that has taken him to the Super Lig club.
The 26-year-old’s move brings to an end a frustrating spell at Goodison Park having only become an Everton player in the January transfer window. Since exiting Tottenham Hotspur, he has made just 13 appearances for the Toffees - only one of those outings being a start - whilst he has also failed to find the net for the Merseyside club.
Now presented with the opportunity to play more first-team football, Lampard has admitted that Dele’s move suits all parties but will be keeping a close eye on how he performs for Besiktas over the next 12 months.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of his side’s Premier League showdown with Brentford, he said: “I think it’s the right thing. I think it hasn't worked out for Dele here for different reasons and he can go there now and hopefully play games, have success, help in person and help us and we’ll review it through the year and obviously at the end of the season.”
Asked if there is a route back into the first-team come the conclusion of the loan spell, Lampard replied: “Yes, that’s what the deal is so we’ll see how it goes.”
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Ahead of completing his switch to Besiktas, Dele was swamped by supporters in Istanbul as they welcomed the 37-time England international to the club. He now links up with a number of former teammates including ex-Spurs pair Gedson Fernandes and Georges-Kevin N’Koudou, as well as former Everton striker Cenk Tosun.
Shortly after arriving in Turkey, he expressed his excitement at getting his stint with the club underway.
Speaking to Besiktas’ official website, he said: "It's my first time playing for a club abroad but since I arrived, the feeling has been amazing. The passion I can already feel around the place is amazing.
"I'm excited to get started and get going, it's a new challenge for me and one that I'm looking forward to. I spoke to a couple of the players before coming here, I spoke to the manager as well and it's only been positive things said so far. I'm happy to be here and the energy from the fans when I arrived was amazing.”
Once he returns from Turkey, Dele will have just one year remaining on the original contract he penned at Goodison Park following his switch from Spurs. However, it remains to be seen if Besiktas activate their permanent option - thought to be worth in the region of £8m.
