Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent has claimed Dele Alli ‘caused’ his own downfall as the Everton midfielder edges closer to a move away from England.
Alli signed a two-and-a-half year contract at Goodison Park on deadline day in January, but has made just 13 appearances and one start for Frank Lampard’s side since. The 26-year-old is in talks with Besiktas after they agreed a loan with an option to buy deal, saving Everton up to £10million in appearance-related add-ons they had agreed with Spurs - which was to be paid once the midfielder played 20 games.
The potential move to Turkey is the latest attempt from the former England international to play his way back into form, but many view the move to the Super Lig as another step down from a potentially glistening career. And fellow ex-Spurs man Bent has told Alli to ‘look in the mirror’, adding that the midfielder ‘caused’ his own downfall.
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“He does need to look in the mirror, because what’s happened to him is down to him alone,” Bent told TalkSPORT . “Whether it be his worth ethic, his attitude, his dedication. He spent four seasons in League One with MK Dons and made his debut at 16-years-old, putting the foundations in.
“The moment he hit the Premier League with Tottenham, in his first three years he won Goal of the Season, PFA Young Player of the Year twice, Team of the Year Twice, he was Player of the Month, he had 22 caps for England - it’s like a whirlwind.
“What’s spiralled out of control since then I don’t know, because I don’t see the same motivation, the same hunger. He had a real impact when Jose first came in (to Tottenham), but then after that there’s not much more productivity. Jose starts to leave him out, the next manager (Nuno Espirito Santo) comes in and he doesn’t really fancy him, (Antonio) Conte decides to let him go.
“If ever I thought there was a player similar to Dele Alli that could get him firing again it’s Frank Lampard. He’s made 13 appearances, one start for Frank, and he’s already allowing him to move on. It’s scary.
“To see where he was then to where he’s at now, that's what I feel sorry for. But I don’t feel sorry for him if he doesn’t look at himself in the mirror. He’s caused this.”
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