Dele Alli’s Future at Everton Uncertain as He is Left Out of Premier League Squad
Dele Alli, the 28-year-old midfielder, has been left out of Everton’s Premier League squad after his contract expired at the end of last season. Despite being named on the club’s retained list in May, Alli has been unable to secure a new deal with the Toffees and remains unemployed. However, there is still hope for the player as there is a possibility for a space to open up in Everton’s 23-man squad.
According to Premier League rules, free agents can join a squad after the transfer deadline if the squad has less than 25 players. With three youth players classified as such, there is room for Alli to be added to Everton’s first-team list of free agents. However, if a squad has 25 players or more, they cannot add any free agents.
Alli’s time at Everton has been challenging, with the midfielder making just 13 appearances in two-and-a-half years. He did not feature at all in the previous campaign due to fitness issues. Despite this, Alli continued to train with Everton and received support from the club. Manager Sean Dyche even suggested in August that Alli could earn a new deal if he impresses in behind-closed-doors friendlies.
Before joining Everton in January 2022, Alli played for Tottenham Hotspur. In February 2023, he was loaned to Turkish team Besiktas, where he made limited appearances before returning to Everton last summer. Alli has faced personal challenges as well, opening up about his mental health battle and his journey to recovery. He sought help for a sleeping pill addiction and has been working on getting back to a better place both physically and mentally.
At his peak, Alli was a highly promising player, scoring 67 goals and providing 58 assists in 269 games for Spurs. However, his recent struggles have raised questions about his future in the sport. As for Dyche, Everton’s manager, his job appears safe for now despite the team’s poor start to the season.
The Premier League itself has undergone some changes for the 2024/25 season. Team news will now be released 75 minutes before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than before. The number of substitutes allowed to warm up has been increased from three players per team to five. Additionally, there have been updates to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, changes to the “multiball” system, and the introduction of semi-automated offsides.
In conclusion, Dele Alli’s exclusion from Everton’s Premier League squad highlights the uncertainty surrounding his future. While there is still a chance for him to be added to the squad as a free agent, his limited appearances in recent seasons raise doubts about his form and fitness. However, Alli’s determination to overcome personal challenges and return to his best form offers hope for a potential revival in the future. As for Everton and manager Sean Dyche, they face their own challenges as they aim to turn their season around and secure positive results.