Should Dele Alli retire after another injury? Future question asked of ex-Tottenham star after setback in bid to earn new Everton contract

The England international saw his previous contract with the Toffees expire at the end of June. He has been a free agent since then, but has continued to train with Sean Dyche’s squad in a bid to earn fresh terms – with former club Tottenham agreeing to waive funds that they would be owed.

Dele was working his way back towards full fitness, after undergoing surgery early in 2024, but has seen his body break down once more. Little is known about the setback, but it is preventing him from staking a claim to an extended stay on Merseyside.

Former Everton scout Bryan King has told Goodison News of what happens next for Dele: “He’s picking up injuries along the way, which is the last thing he would want. Someone will have to make a decision soon. Is it worth him coming back or should he retire? I think Everton have been very loyal in assisting him try to get his fitness back.

“It is amazing, all that talent and the fees being brandished, it has all been left by the wayside. He needs to play a game, when is he going to play? It has been a long time. If there isn’t movement soon then I think perhaps he will be forced to retire. At the moment, he doesn’t look any closer to playing than he did a year ago.”

Dele has not made a competitive appearance since turning out for Besiktas in February 2023 during a forgettable Turkish loan spell. He is still just 28 years of age, with 37 caps for the Three Lions to his name, but is struggling to escape his injury nightmare and rekindle a spark that began to fizzle out some time ago.