Expert suggests the real reason Dele Alli flopped at Everton
Frank McAvennie has suggested Dele Alli fell out of love with football during his turbulent time at Tottenham and Everton.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former West Ham striker said Alli had the potential to become “the best thing since sliced bread”.
On Monday (3 October), sources told this site that the Toffees do not expect the 26-year-old to play for them again.
The midfielder is on a season-long loan at Besiktas that could be made permanent at the end of the season depending on performance triggers in the deal.
Alli’s current deal at Goodison Park expires in 2024.
McAvennie suggested the money have have gone to his head.
“From what I know, he was not enjoying it [football],” he told Football Insider.
“There are now two ways about it. He has got the talent, the ability, to be one of the top players in the Premier League. Money should have nothing to do with it, people should be playing for the love of the game, money should be secondary.
“I think with Dele, he has got all this money and it has probably just gone to his head. There is no right way or wrong way to say it.
“He has gone away to Turkey and he is enjoying life, the fans adore everyone that plays for Besiktas. He has got his love back for the game.
“He is a talent but people could not get it out of him. I thought he would do it at Everton. He was going to be the best thing since sliced bread but it never happened. Now he is away from the media chasing him and he is enjoying football again.“
Alli has made four appearances for the Turkish club so far this season.
In those outings he has scored one goal.
In other news, Everton are set to complete Conor Coady signing as pundit ‘wowed’ by latest.