I launched Dele Alli’s career – he’s one of the greatest footballers of his generation and he can turn it around
WAYWARD former England star Dele Alli has been told ‘the world is still your oyster’ — by the man who helped launch his career.
Dele, 27, has endured one football’s biggest falls from grace since helping Tottenham reach the 2019 Champions League final, where they were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool in Madrid.
After things went pear-shaped in North London, his career went downhill at Everton following a move — which could cost the Toffees £40MILLION — in February last year.
And his career went from bad to worse during a disastrous loan spell at Turkish side Besiktas last season.
Dele is now back with Everton for pre-season training.
Goodison Park boss Sean Dyche appears to be giving him a second chance by taking him to Switzerland as part of the squad to face Stade Nyonnais in Friday’s friendly.
Dele has been seen smiling while cycling with his team-mates along the shores of Lake Geneva this week.
But even the most optimistic of fans must wonder whether he will be told to get on his bike again soon.
After all, if Dele plays another seven times for Everton — who he joined during Frank Lampard’s disastrous reign on Merseyside — they will have to pay Tottenham another £10m as part of a clause when he hits 20 matches.
Dele scored twice in Spurs’ thrilling 3-1 win against Real Madrid in the Champions League at a packed Wembley in November 2017.
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He has not played for England since the Nations League tie with Switzerland in June 2019.
So the man who was a key figure in the Three Lions’ run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals is very much at the crossroads of his career.
But Pete Winkelman, the owner of League Two’s MK Dons, insists the former Three Lions star can get back to the top.
Winkelman said: “Dele is one of the greatest footballers of his generation and he can definitely still turn things around.
“We all remember his goals against Real Madrid for Tottenham when he was at the peak of his powers.
“But it’s very easy for things to go wrong — especially in a physically demanding, ultra competitive sport like football.
“A fit Dele Alli who has a smile on his face can still play at the highest level.
“The world is still Dele’s oyster. If he really pushes himself and focuses there’s no doubt he can hit those dizzy heights again.
“I just hope he can get himself fully fit and mentally fit to come back to the job he was born for.”
Dele endured an unwhelming season at Besiktas, where he scored just twice in 15 games.
His loan spell in Turkey was eventually cut short after undergoing hip surgery in April.
That was just a few days after he was pictured with a balloon in his mouth at a house party in Manchester, surrounded by laughing gas canisters.
It is a far cry from his emergence as one of England’s hottest young talents when he made his Dons debut aged 16 before a £5m move to Tottenham.
Winkelman added: “I don’t think Dele has been completely fit for the last couple of years.
“He’s been carrying niggles and he’s had a bad injury while out in Turkey.
“So we just need to get him back in tip-top condition and then he’ll be all set to really go for it again. Everything else will start to come together and the important thing to remember is he has time on his side, so I wouldn’t write off Dele Alli.
“And with his ability, he still has the potential to play for absolutely anyone in the Premier League.”
Businessman Winkelman, 65, is hoping Dele will keep his head down to get his career moving back in the right direction.
He added: “Inevitably, when you’ve got a high public profile like Dele, if things go awry then you will attract lots of attention.
“But many people have had to live with those levels of responsibility and you’ve got to learn to live with it.
“It’s sad to see it all from afar but he’s a young man with a life to lead but, lest we forget, we all make mistakes.
“And once he’s physically fit, the smile will return and everything else in his life will fall back into place.
“Then we will see Dele back on a football field — and I can’t wait for that moment.
“Hopefully, time out of the spotlight and some time away from the training ground other than managing his injuries will give the chance to get things right.
“But it all depends on Dele and when he is ready to put that foot forward again and get on with his career.”