Dele Alli’s Uncertain Playing Time: Dyche’s Doubts and Long Road Ahead
Dele Alli, the former England midfielder, may not see any playing time for the rest of the season as he continues to recover from groin surgery and another injury setback. Everton manager, Sean Dyche, revealed that the club is deliberately holding him back to ensure a full recovery. Alli’s return to the field seems to be a long way off, and Dyche emphasized that the player will be given all the time and space he needs.
It was just last July when Alli opened up about his childhood abuse in an interview, showcasing his bravery. In a conversation with Gary Neville on The Overlap podcast, he revealed that he had undergone six weeks of rehab to treat an addiction to sleeping pills caused by trauma from his childhood. Alli expressed that the psychological help he received left him in the best mental state he had ever been in and reignited his passion for football.
However, Alli has faced numerous physical issues since then, and it has been nearly a year since he last played first-team football. During his loan season with Besiktas in 2022-23, injuries plagued him. Now, Dyche is determined to give him the necessary time and space to return to the pitch in optimal condition.
In a recent conversation with Alli, Dyche stated that he is currently in good shape. Making sense of yet another injury is difficult, but Dyche remains confident that Alli will come through it. The club has intentionally kept him back to allow him the time and space he needs for recovery. Dyche added, “Hopefully he’ll be back, we just don’t know.”
Alli recently took to social media to thank everyone for their incredible support as he welcomed the New Year. His journey has been challenging, with him sharing in his interview with Neville that he was molested at the age of six by a friend of his biological mother. He also revealed that he started smoking at the age of seven and began selling drugs at eight. As a means of discipline, he was sent to Africa for six months to live with his biological father.
The road ahead for Dele Alli is undoubtedly long and uncertain. However, with Everton’s support and Dyche’s commitment to giving him the time and space he needs, there is hope that he will overcome his physical setbacks and make a successful return to the game he is passionate about. Alli’s journey serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength needed to overcome adversity, both on and off the field.