Everton: talkSPORT guests clash live on air in Dele Alli debate
Karl Robinson has backed Dele Alli to find form again while speaking live on talkSPORT.
Robinson managed Alli at MK Dons during the 27-year-old’s rise to prominence before his switch to Tottenham. Upon arriving in North London, Alli was an instant hit and made his England debut aged 19.
At one point he was described as having “world-class abilities” by former Tottenham midfielder Paul Walsh (Sky Sports) but was never able to quite live up to expectations. He fell out of favour at Spurs before struggling with Everton and on loan at Turkish side Besiktas.
However, Robinson has backed Alli to find his feet again while speaking live on talkSPORT.
“I think he will (return to form) – he has the talent,” Robinson said on talkSPORT on Friday morning (10:55 am, 30 June).
“He has to find something within him like he did when he was 17, 18 when he first went to Spurs like he did when he first stepped on the pitch for England, he has to find that again.”
Stuart Pearce disagreed. He said: “I’m seeing somebody that’s been at varying clubs in recent years and had very little impact at all.”
Hopeful
Robinson’s words seem more hopeful than anything and it is a rather optimistic view.
Football fans and Evertonians especially would love to see Alli return to his best. He was a joy to watch at the peak of his powers and truly seemed destined for greatness. At one point it felt as if he could perhaps become England’s best midfielder.
However, it feels now as if too much time has passed and not enough improvement has been shown for people to really believe he will get anywhere near his Spurs and England form of old.
Robinson has a connection to the player and is therefore perhaps biased and letting emotion get the better of him however in a Sean Dyche team it is hard to see Alli getting back to where he was.
The boss won’t tolerate anything less than 100 per cent which is what the midfielder unfortunately seems to be these days.
In other Everton news, the club have a Premier League striker in their sights.