January 21 – He was once one of the most coveted talents in the English game before his career and life took a downward turn.
Now former England midfielder Dele Alli has joined Serie A strugglers Como in the latest attempt to revive a vocation that promised so much.
The one-time Tottenham Hotspur and Everton star, still only 28, has signed an 18-month contract with the Italians, with an option to extend for an additional 12 months.
Dele was a member of the England team that reached the World Cup semifinals in 2018 after a period when he was a pivotal member of Mauricio Pochettino’s young Tottenham side that almost won the Premier League.
However, the attacking midfielder’s career has been derailed in recent years and he spent six weeks in rehab in the United States in 2023 in a bid to deal with mental health problems stemming from a traumatic childhood.
On the pitch, he made 194 Premier League appearances, joining Everton in January 2022 after eight years at Spurs, but he managed only 13 outings for the Merseyside club due to recurrent injuries. He last played for Everton in August 2022 and was also loaned out to Turkish side Besiktas for a season, after which he focused on recovery.
“The club believes in Dele’s potential and is committed to helping him rediscover his best form. His experience and leadership qualities will undoubtedly benefit the squad,” Como manager Cesc Fabregas said in a statement.
“The club recognises his exceptional talent and is excited to bring him into the team. The focus will be on providing Dele with a supportive environment where he can gradually integrate into the squad.”
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