Former Premier League striker and now pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor has leapt to the defence of Dele Alli following the criticism the midfielder has received since joining Everton.
Alli arrived on Merseyside from Tottenham Hotspur on transfer deadline day as new Blues boss Frank Lampard's first permanent signing.
Days later the England midfielder was introduced to the Goodison Park crowd at half-time of the 4-1 FA Cup win over Brentford in casual wear.
However, his appearance led to Spurs and England legend Glenn Hoddle criticising Alli's choice of clothing, saying on BT Sport that he "didn’t like the way he walked out on the pitch with what he was wearing" before adding: "I thought he’d just got dragged off the street to be honest."
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Lampard leapt to the defence of his player, saying: "I don’t care what car he drives or what clothes he wears."
And Agbonlahor has weighed in, labelling former professional players 'jealous' of the modern player.
“I’ve spoken to pundits about this, the old school ex-players can’t get their heads around the new school players,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider.
“Their time has passed, they have to get used to the new football player.
“Some football players will drive a normal car, some will have a Rolls Royce and if Dele Alli wants to drive a Rolls Royce, that’s his choice.
“Whatever he does with his money is his choice, he’s earned it by making sacrifices as a kid to make it as a professional footballer.
“He shouldn’t have to worry about what he wears. If Frank Lampard told him to wear his club suit then you would understand.
“Big respect to Glenn Hoddle as a player and a manager but is he a fashion expert?
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“People just want to put football players down sometimes.
“We’re too quick to judge English players in England. Aubameyang has about 10 cars, Cristiano Ronaldo, okay, he’s won everything but he’s got £15-£20million worth of cars.
“I just think there is a lot of jealousy in football at what footballers get paid but people don’t understand the sacrifices footballers make to get there.
“It’s a load of nonsense and most of the comments on social media agree with that.”
Hoddle wasn't the only ex-pro turned pundit to lay into Alli for not just his choice of apparel but his choice of car when arriving at Everton.
Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist were both critical of the Blues new boy, with Brazil commenting: “Maybe I’m old fashioned but he turns up in his Rolls Royce and I’m like, ‘ah no Dele, don’t do that’. Little signals like that to me… am I wrong Ally?”
McCoist responded by saying: “Listen mate, I don’t think you’re wrong. You’ve got to combat it by saying we’re of a completely different generation. I’m with you Al, wee little things like that. I’m bursting for Dele to do well.
“Everton fans are working class people, I don’t know if it sends out the right message. However, I do accept that you and I are from a completely different generation.”
