Everton now ‘may have a new signing next season’ in Dele Alli – Martin Samuel
Dele Alli’s emotional interview with Gary Neville could lead to Everton having the equivalent of a “new signing next season”, according to Martin Samuel.
The Toffees midfielder revealed extensive childhood trauma to the Sky Sports pundit on The Overlap in a video released Thursday (13 July), apparently pressed to do so against a background of pressure from tabloid newspapers.
The 27-year-old’s discussion of abuse, addition and rehab has put developments in his playing career into clear context, and Samuel argues that by going public the former Tottenham and England star may be transformed on the pitch next term.
He writes in his column for The Times: “It would be glib to argue the hardest part is over because there can always be dark days ahead. Yet Dele spies them more clearly now, or at least he sounds as if he does. He knows what he gave up and what he has to gain. That is a giant step.
“There was a sense of catharsis in his conversation with Gary Neville, the sense of a line being drawn. Everton may have a new signing next season; Dele may feel a new man.”
He later adds: “There is undoubtedly a pathway back from here. One in which Dele plays with distinction, but helps, too.”
Possible
It may be that the latest development frees Dele to the extent that he can recapture some of his previous form, and with Everton struggling to land transfer targets that would be an unforeseen boost.
If it happens it would be a bonus for both player and club, but the prime consideration for both has to be his long-term wellbeing first and foremost.
This should divert some of the negative spotlight that the Toffees man regularly finds directed his way, but the pressure of hitting the major heights he reached so early in his career may be unrealistic.
Even without the off-field factors he is having to deal with it would be a considerable challenge to reach that level again at this point.
With Sean Dyche as his manager and Everton as his club he appears to be in a caring environment, but in terms of contributions to next season it is surely a matter of wait and see.
If Dele felt he had no choice but to get out in front of the story this week then that is a situation he should never have been pushed into.
Having done the interview with Neville he may be able to turn it into a positive development, personally and professionally, but the former surely takes precedence over the latter.
In other Everton news, a Dyche target is now available for a bargain price after a top scoring season last term.