Everton: Joey Barton calls out Dele Alli after Sky Sports appearance v Chelsea
Everton midfielder Dele Alli was called out after his appearance on Monday Night Football, with Joey Barton saying he “couldn’t believe” the 28-year-old was in the Sky Sports studio.
Everton were hammered 6-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in one of their biggest-ever Premier League defeats, with currently injured Dele joining Dave Jones and Jamie Carragher in the MNF Studio.
Barton, posting on X with reference to a video of his live thoughts on the match, called the decision to invite a current Toffees player onto the Sky panel “strange.”
He wrote: “I can’t believe Dele Alli was on MNF this week. What a strange decision by all involved.”
Barton perplexed by Dele Alli after Sky Sports appearance
Everton played poorly to say the least in their 6-0 thumping at Stamford Bridge, conceding four goals to Cole Palmer alone, three of which were a 29-minute hat-trick before Nicolas Jackson and Alfie Gilchrist rounded off the scoring late in both halves.
The Toffees also saw three players pick up injuries in a match to forget, with Nathan Patterson’s the most serious after minor knocks for Seamus Coleman and Jarrad Branthwaite.
Alli, on the way back from a long-term injury of his own, did provide insight into his career and next steps with Everton going forward, but given his contractual obligations with the club, was never going to be as critical as Jamie Carragher was on the Sky Sports panel.
While Barton clearly wasn’t a fan of Dele’s MNF appearance, his post failed to focus on the more conversational aspects between Carragher and the Everton midfielder, instead bemoaning the decision to invite a player under contract with the club in question.
As Dele continues his return from injury, and with the future of Everton very much unclear as things stand, the summer of 2024 could present the perfect opportunity for the 28-year-old to resurrect his career.
Everton fans, should the club’s takeover talks smooth over, could soon be looking forward to a summer which sees them under brand new ownership, in a brand new stadium, watching a brand new Alli getting back to what he does best.
In other Everton news, The Esk has shared a new update about the Toffees’ chances of entering administration this season.
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