Why Dele Alli & Tom Brady partnership at Birmingham will be ‘tough’ - with doubt cast over Championship move for ex-Tottenham star following shock Como release

At 29 years of age, Dele finds himself at an important crossroads. His career has veered off track, with one competitive appearance being made since February 2023. That solitary substitute outing lasted less than 10 minutes before picking up a red card.

Dele was not seen again at Como following that disastrous debut, with his contract in Italy eventually being torn up. The former MK Dons, Tottenham and Everton midfielder is now waiting on offers, with there talk of a return to the EFL ranks being made.

Wrexham, Swansea and West Brom have been linked to Dele, with Birmingham also said to be in that mix. West Midlands native and former England star Lee Hendrie is, however, doubtful that a deal will be done by Brady and Co at St Andrew’s.

Hendrie told Football League World: “I think Dele Alli, at 90 or 100 per cent of his game gets into most sides, doesn’t he? I think that’s the difference. You have to look at what his fitness levels are like. Is his head in the right space?

“It would be tough. Top players who have been at the top, playing in better teams and squads, you do think it does get the extra 10% out of players. I think it would be tough for him to walk into that Birmingham side because they’ve been one of the better sides in the Championship so far this season, so that would be a difficult one for that to happen.”

With Dele alarmingly short on match fitness, any club taking a punt on his services will be accepting a certain element of risk. There is, however, no doubting the ability of a man that has 37 senior caps and World Cup minutes for England under his belt.