Dele Alli nears Como debut as coach Cesc Fabregas waiting on 'the right moment' as midfielder returns to bench for Venezia clash

The former Tottenham star, who joined the Italian side in January, has yet to step onto the pitch in a competitive match. Dele was included in the squad for Saturday’s Serie A fixture against Venezia, but he remained on the bench throughout the contest. This follows his selection for Como’s recent trip to Roma, marking the first time he had been part of a matchday squad in over two years.

Dele has not featured in a competitive match since February 2023, when he played in Besiktas’ goalless draw with Antalyaspor. The more than 700-day absence from professional football has raised concerns over his fitness and match readiness, but Fabregas has assured that the midfielder is inching towards making his debut.

During his pre-match press conference, Fabregas explained his careful approach to managing Dele's return.

"It’s a progression for him," Fabregas told reporters. "He came with us to Rome. He’s not yet ready to play, he will be on the bench tomorrow as well, and then we’ll see… I need to feel the right moment to bring him in. He is growing and making important progress. We need to guide him, take care of him, and get him on the field in the best possible condition."

A 1-1 draw over Venezia helped Como climb to the 13th place in the Serie A standings. The recent run of form has helped ease any immediate relegation fears, allowing the team to focus on building on their new-found momentum. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if Dele's potential debut comes in a high-profile fixture when Como visit San Siro to take on AC Milan on March 15.