Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to meet ‘unbelievable’ Everton player Dele Alli
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to meet Everton midfielder Dele Alli after watching the player’s “painful” interview with Gary Neville.
Alli recently discussed issues such as his childhood trauma in an interview with the former Manchester United defender on his YouTube channel The Overlap.
And now Pochettino, who was Alli’s manager for four years at Tottenham, wants to meet the player following Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the United States.
“Of course, it was really tough for me to see him,” Pochettino told ESPN. “I didn’t finish the interview because it was so painful. He knows how we [Pochettino and his coaching staff] love him, how important he is for us as a person.
“Like a player, he was amazing but like a person he has a big, big heart. And of course, we are in contact. After the USA tour I hope to see him in London, to meet him and give him a big hug.
“Always, it is tough when you love a person but they show in an interview like this, it is really, really painful. But he is a strong, unbelievable guy and for sure he will become stronger.”
Sharing the love
Everton midfielder Alli has clearly been through a very tough time, with the difficult moments undoubtedly set to continue for the player given what he has been through.
But there are definitely things that can help get the former England star through the tough times, and one of those would involve a meeting with his former manager.
The two clearly have a very close bond, as witnessed during their time together at Tottenham and even now, with not many former colleagues having such a connection after going separate ways.
It’s great to see such support for the Toffees man, who has obviously had a very difficult life so far, with his struggles showing on the pitch in recent times.
Hopefully meetings with Pochettino and others both inside and outside of the sport can help the player get back to his best, with Alli having previously been one of the most exciting players in world football.
A lot of his best moments on the pitch came under Pochettino during their years together at the North London club.
In other Everton news, one big-name manager has confirmed his desire to become boss of the Merseyside club one day.