Everton fans told to be ‘patient’ with Dele Alli as boss Sean Dyche reveals star is still ‘miles away’ from first team
EVERTON fans will need to wait before seeing Dele Alli back in action after Sean Dyche warned he still had work to do before his return.
Dele, 27, endured a difficult loan spell at Besiktas in the second half of last season.
He was recently pictured back in training after being handed the No20 shirt – his favourite number from his time at Tottenham.
But ex-Burnley boss Dyche has called for patience from fans as he revealed Dele was “miles away” from getting back into the team.
However, most importantly, Dyche revealed Dele was now beginning to feel better after it was revealed he had spent time in rehab for a sleeping pills addiction.
Dele also revealed he had been sexually abused as a child.
Dyche said: “We are miles away from that [thinking about his role in the squad], he is just getting himself right again.
“He is feeling good and now we will be working with him, on top of that, to make sure the injury is right.
“But it is still going to be a bit of time yet.”
Dele joined the Toffees from Spurs in 2022, but having made just 13 appearances he had thus far managed no goals.
In his first three seasons at Tottenham, Dele netted 46 goals in 146 games in all competitions, before his career began to tail off.
Following Dele’s emotional interview, Harry Kane led the football world in voicing their support for him.
Meanwhile, Eric Dier struggled to compose himself as he repeatedly broke down in tears when speaking about his close friend’s struggles.
An emotional Dier told SunSport: “It was difficult to watch, upsetting.
“My overwhelming feeling is probably that I’m upset that I didn’t do more.”
Dele is in the last year of his contract at Goodison Park – which will play host for Everton’s Premier League opener against Fulham next Saturday.
However, they are set to face the Cottagers without the help of Dwight McNeil after he suffered ankle ligament damage in July’s 1-0 win over Stoke.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – who SunSport earmarked as a player with a point to prove this season – scored in the 1-0 win over Sporting Lisbon as he looks to prove his fitness following a hamstring injury.
Since then Everton have produced a goalless draw with Bolton, a 1-0 win over Wigan and a 2-1 win over Stade Nyonnais.
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and confirmed switches from the world of football