Pundit issues ‘big’ Everton claim after Dele Alli transfer update
Alan Hutton has claimed Everton can’t “pin the blame” for the side’s struggles last season on Dele Alli.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider the ex-Tottenham and Aston Villa defender said that Alli, 26, can “kick on” with the Toffees this season and help them avoid a relegation fight.
According to The Sun‘s Dan King (24 July), the Merseyside club are said to be willing to sell the midfielder after only six months at Goodison Park.
The England international joined Frank Lampard’s side in January on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at Spurs.
Alli put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the Toffees.
When asked if he thought Everton should give Alli more time to settle at the club, Hutton told Football Insider: “I think you have to.
“I don’t think you can say after that short period of time.
“Let’s not kid ourselves on Everton were struggling last season without him. You can’t just pin the blame on him. He was coming from a place where his confidence wasn’t the highest, he wasn’t playing regularly, so it was always going to take him time to match sharp, get back up to speed.
“He’s been through that difficult period now with Everton where he’s had a full pre-season.
“I know he missed one sitter that everybody was jumping on the bandwagon and saying he was finished. It happens, look at [Darwin] Nunez and all these different players who miss opportunities. It happens. He scored after that and he’s probably put those demons to rest.
“I think after having a good pre-season hopefully he can kick on because Everton need some big players this season coming or they will be in that relegation fight again.“
In other news, A pundit has backed Everton to seal ‘outstanding’ Billy Gilmour deal after journalist’s update.