Phil McNulty says no Everton fans cared about Dele Alli’s clothes amid Glenn Hoddle criticism
Everton fans were totally unbothered by the outfit of new January signing Dele Alli over the weekend, says Phil McNulty.
The January arrival from Spurs was paraded on the pitch during the break of the 4-1 victory over Brentford in Frank Lampard’s first game, alongside fellow signing Donny van de Beek.
He was subsequently subjected to astonishing criticism on BT Sport from pundit Glenn Hoddle who accused him of looking like he had been “dragged off the street” (via Express) because he wasn’t wearing a club tracksuit.
The former England manager attempted to suggest that the midfielder’s new fans would be unimpressed, saying: “If I’m an Everton fan, you’re going to a new club. Put a tracksuit on at least or something.”
But the BBC’s chief football writer McNulty who was at the game has countered in no uncertain terms.
Responding to a post from the journalist Kyle Walker on Twitter questioning why it was an issue, McNulty wrote: “I was covering the match and not a single Everton fan commented on it or showed any interest in it other than to give him a very warm welcome.”
Not an issue
It is certainly true that the ex-MK Dons player has experienced a significant decline in his career over the last couple of seasons.
Once one of the first names on the team sheet for both Mauricio Pochettino and Gareth Southgate, Dele has rarely featured as multiple managers have come and gone in North London, and was deemed surplus to requirements by Antonio Conte.
It is highly doubtful that the cause of that is that he is not wearing the sort of clothes that will please Glenn Hoddle though.
A twice PFA Young Player of the Year who made the step up from League One to the Premier League and the World Cup with apparent ease, he could be an absolute steal if Lampard can rejuvenate him.
As one of the Premier League’s greatest ever midfielders he would seem an ideal candidate for it, and his clothes or car (talkSPORT) are unlikely to feature in the coaching.
Dele is the most recent in a long line of players who are singled out for criticism from some older-generation ex-pros for things that are either irrelevant or widespread among modern players.
As McNulty suggests, it was a non-issue in the first place.
In other Everton news, this top quality transfer target looks like he may be moving out of reach of the Toffees.