Micah Richards has shared his excitement over Dele Alli’s move to Everton - but also provided the midfielder with a cautionary tale.
Alli arrived as Frank Lampard’s second signing at Goodison on deadline day on a two-and-a-half year deal from Tottenham Hotspur.
Having struggled to maintain his earlier world-class standards in recent seasons, he comes to Everton in search of a fresh challenge.
Richards has lauded Alli’s ability and spoke highly of the move but believes there are now “no excuses” for the 25-year-old.
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“Of all the deals that were done in the hours before the transfer window closed, none excited me more than Dele joining Everton,” Richards wrote in his column for the Daily Mail .
“What an opportunity this is — he must grab it with both hands.
“There are no excuses now. Frank Lampard has shown a huge amount of faith, offering him a chance at a club with a great pedigree, and he will be such a positive influence.
“Few were better at scoring from midfield than Everton’s new manager and Dele must learn from him every day.
“If he does that, I don’t think his dreams of playing for England again are over.”
Perhaps the most poignant element in Richards’ assessment of Alli is the comparison that the former Manchester City captain has made with his own career.
Alli’s most recent England cap came against Switzerland in 2019, aged 23 - the same age Richards was when he wore the Three Lions shirt for the final time, almost a decade ago.
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However, though the pundit admitted he felt his own time on the international stage had come to an end - he believes the Blues’ new signing is still a player with a point to prove.
Richards continued: “When I look at Dele, though, I get the sense there is unfinished business; that the guy who scored against Sweden in the 2018 World Cup quarter-final is waiting to appear once more.
“Yes, Dele has had a disappointing couple of years but let’s not forget the impact he had in the team Mauricio Pochettino took to the Champions League final in 2019.
“If Dele clicks in a Blue shirt, he will be loved and if he get to the levels I know he can, the relegation talk that has haunted Everton throughout the winter will be banished once and for all.
“He can be a big player once again. It’s time for Dele to deliver.”
