Dele Alli expected to arrive at Everton on Wednesday, potential debuts mooted
New Everton signing Dele Alli has not yet arrived at the club, with his introduction to training expected on Wednesday, reports Sky Sports’ Alan Irwin.
The ex-Tottenham man became new manager Frank Lampard’s first permanent signing at Goodison on deadline day of the January transfer window.
Due to the late nature of the deal the former England international is yet to arrive at Finch Farm to join his new teammates, including fellow new signing Donny van de Beek.
The two men are cup tied for the upcoming FA Cup tie with Brentford so their Toffees debuts will have to wait.
Speaking live outside the Finch Farm training ground on Sky Sports News on Tuesday (February 1, 03.35pm) Irwin reported: “Dele Alli is still to arrive at Everton’s training headquarters.
“It may well be tomorrow before he gets another meeting with Frank Lampard and gets to don the Everton training kit.
“Let’s remember that he can’t play on Saturday anyway.
“The likelihood is that [the new signings] will be in contention to make their debuts in a crucial fixture against Newcastle United”.
Not long to wait
Anticipation is high on Merseyside now that the page has finally been turned on the tumultuous January the club went through.
The new manager’s arrival has lifted the mood, and the late-window signings of two international midfielders from Premier League rivals has raised expectations.
And while the first sighting of Dele in Everton gear looks to be imminent, fans are going to have to wait a bit longer to see either man make an appearance where they are really needed, on the pitch.
It is the cost of doing business within the league that players are restricted in cup competitions, but the benefit is of course that they should be proven Premier League performers.
The only problem in that case here is that the Dutchman mysteriously featured so sparingly at Manchester United, and the Spurs career of Dele deteriorated following the arrival of Jose Mourinho.
A fresh start at Goodison for both should be exactly what both need to kick start their careers.
In other Everton news, this Toffee was the subject of the closest attention in training from the new manager.