Stan Collymore: Last-chance saloon for Dele Alli after he swaps Tottenham for Everton
Stan Collymore is impressed by the business Everton did in the January transfer window but says it’s time for Dele Alli to finally step up and silence his critics.
As well as sacking Rafa Benitez and hiring Frank Lampard in January, Everton signed Vitaly Mykolenko, Nathan Patterson, Anwar El Ghazi, Donny van de Beek and Alli.
Arriving from Tottenham on a permanent deadline day deal, 25-year-old Alli has a lot to prove at Goodison Park.
Ex-Liverpool forward Collymore really wants to see the new Toffees midfielder press on in his time at Merseyside.
“Everton’s business has been excellent as well, given they have strengthened an area that is the heartbeat of a team with two players, Dele Alli and Donny van de Beek, who between them could and should give some industry,” Collymore said in the Sunday People [6 February, page 58].
“Both can play as orthodox midfielders, get forward, create and make something happen.
“And if you include the arrival of new manager Frank Lampard, I’m giving Everton a very good 8/10.
“For Dele, this is the last-chance saloon, though, and the situation he finds himself in now reminds me of when I went to Leicester to work for Martin O’Neill.”
Dele time
Lampard’s era at Everton started off as well as it could on Saturday as he led the Blues to a 4-1 win against Brentford in the FA Cup at Goodison Park.
Even though he had numerous players missing due to being cup-tied, like Alli, and injured, he still managed to oversee a superb performance.
Allan and Andre Gomes started in the heart of the midfield for the Toffees but you would imagine that will change on Tuesday night when we play Newcastle at St James’ Park in the Premier League.
It’s a huge game for two clubs who have undergone huge changes within the last month and both need a win just as much as the other.
If Alli is fit, he should start.
The England international has that star quality that can help take the Blues to victory whenever they play in these high-stakes matches.
The same goes for van de Beek too, although Allan may be too important to drop from the midfield.
Lampard may want to change his system to play with three in the middle, that will make more sense against a Newcastle side who could be overrun in the centre of the park.
In other Everton news, the Blues are in pole position to secure this major behind-the-scenes appointment.