Injury-ravaged Dele Alli sent ‘playing non-league football’ warning as ex-Tottenham star struggles to earn new contract at Everton

The former England international has not enjoyed a competitive outing of any kind since February 2023, during a forgettable loan spell at Turkish outfit Besiktas. He has endured issues on and off the field since then, with fitness concerns often holding him back.

That has been the case again of late, with Dele being prevented from staking his claim to a new contract at Everton – having become a free agent at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. There has been talk of him being eased back into action at U21 level, with it imperative that he takes every minute on the pitch seriously.

Former Everton scout Bryan King has been eager to hammer that point home, telling Goodison News of how Dele could tumble even further if he fails to impress: “He has got to prove himself. Match fitness, his own personal fitness and the ability to be involved in games. These are things he needs to prove. This is a telling time for him to see whether all the work he has done will pay off. Whether you’re playing for the Under-21s or first team, your attitude needs to be the same, and your performance must be the same.

“If he is picked to play for the Under-21s, with the experience that he’s got, he should be a standout player. He has work to do, that is for sure. However, if he has the chance to play, this should be his cup final. He should be proving that he is worth signing. Otherwise, he will be playing non-league football. It will be tough for him, but if he comes through it then good luck to him. He’s not an old player, he still has that on his side.”

Dele is 28 years of age, having made a senior breakthrough while still in his teens. He was once considered to be one of the best goalscoring midfielders on the planet, but has endured a humbling fall from grace and needs to steer clear of the treatment table in order to prove his worth all over again.