Doctor predicts when injury-ravaged Dele Alli could give up after 19 months out – with ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ getting smaller for ex-Tottenham & Everton midfielder

The ex-England international took in his last competitive appearance on February 26, 2023. He was on loan in Turkey with Besiktas at the time, having only managed 13 outings for Everton since linking up with them from Tottenham in January 2022.

Dele’s contract with the Toffees has expired, making him a free agent, but he continues to train with the Premier League outfit in a bid to recapture form and fitness – with fresh terms not being completely ruled out on Merseyside.

The 28-year-old has, however, been plagued by injuries and remains some way off a return to action at the very highest level. Questions have been asked of whether he could retire, or drop down the English Football League ladder, with a fresh start required somewhere.

Dr Rajpal Brar, a specialist in physical therapy and sports science, has told Goodison News of what happens next for Dele: "I think it really just comes down to if Alli feels he has the ongoing resilience and patience to continue to keep fighting. He hasn’t played in 19 months and had multiple setbacks so it’s not easy to continue to keep your head up and go through that daily fight, particularly if the light at the end of the tunnel continually gets smaller.

"The point at which Dele decides it’s not worth it anymore, I imagine that’s when he hangs it up. It is encouraging to see him working hard behind the scenes so it seems he’s keen on returning to football and not retiring as suggested."

Dele has offered no indication that he is preparing to hang up his boots, with there a desire to his part to silence his critics and prove any doubters wrong. He has endured a tough time on and off the field, but there is no questioning his ability if a lost spark can be rekindled.