Dele Alli overlooked by Frank Lampard again as Everton fall to another away defeat
By Kurt Leyland
Everton suffered yet another away defeat in the Premier League on Wednesday as they lost 3-2 against Burnley in a crucial clash in the battle to avoid relegation.
It is proving to be a miserable season for the Toffees who find themselves just one point and a place above the drop zone and it is feared that the club could face a first relegation since 1951.
The pressure is mounting on Frank Lampard and it is becoming increasingly difficult to see a way out for the Blues who are enduring a miserable run of form and a tricky run of fixtures.
Lampard, who was appointed as manager of Everton in January 2022, has faced immense scrutiny since arriving as Everton manager. One talking point has been the signing of Dele Alli who is yet to start a Premier League game for the Toffees since his arrival in the January transfer window.
The 25-year-old, who arrived on a free in the January transfer window, joined in a highly structured deal which means he could ultimately cost up to £40million depending on his performances on the pitch [Sky Sports].
Upon his arrival at the club Alli was quoted by Sky Sports News that he just wanted to be “happy playing football” and that he was inspired to sign for the club as he wanted to work with Lampard. Yet he continues to look an isolated figure on the bench for the Blues.
Where is it going wrong for Alli?
It has proven a very difficult week for the former England international who began the week by being branded a “waste of time” by talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan.
Whilst it can take time for a player to rejuvenate their match fitness after a lengthy spell out of the team, it is hugely concerning that Alli is unable to start in this Everton team.
This has been one of the weakest Everton teams in the last 20 years and they have been overrun throughout the season in the midfield areas. Most notably the line-up selected by Lampard showed a lack of faith in Alli as Lampard opted to use makeshift central midfielders in the form of Mason Holgate and Alex Iwobi rather than start Alli.
On his day, Alli is undoubtedly one of the most talented players at Everton’s disposal and he should be comfortably walking into this Everton starting line-up.
Prior to his arrival the signing was seen as the perfect opportunity for Alli to regain his confidence after a lengthy spell on the sidelines at Tottenham and a great chance for Alli to harness his potential by being mentored by Lampard who is the highest-scoring midfielder in Premier League history.
Yet it is not only Lampard who has failed to see the appeal of Alli. The likes of Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte have all left Alli on the side lines. Mourinho has been particularly critical of Alli’s attitude during the documentary All or Nothing.
It is yet to be seen whether Alli can fight his way back into the Everton set-up, but at the moment he is a long way off the signing that the Toffees had hoped for in the January transfer window.
In other Everton news, Kevin Campbell is at his wits end with one Toffees player after what he saw him do.
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