Dele Alli to play behind-closed-doors Everton games as Sean Dyche ponders contract decision

Dele Alli will play in some behind-closed-doors games for Everton as the club assess him moving forward, according to the Daily Mirror.

As reported on page 55 of the newspaper's print edition[16 August], Toffees boss Sean Dyche says the staff will run the rule over the midfielder, who is training with the club despite now being out of contract.

Dele played a combined 367 minutes of Premier League football for Everton after joining the club in 2022, later scoring three goals in 15 games on loan at Besiktas.

It remains to be seen if he will earn an extended stay with Everton, but Dyche is giving him the opportunity to try and do so.

"He is close but he's not there yet," Dyche said.

"And don't forget he's hardly had any actual football, as in games, for a long time.

"The first thing is to get him back out there, running, training, and we will wait and see on that."

Everton fans hope to see Dele Alli back on the pitch

Sporting comebacks from severe mental health difficulties always strike a chord with the viewing public, because it can often be so relatable - usually to far more people than is on the surface perceived to be the case.

For Dele - who last played in blue two years ago and has bravely come out and spoken publicly about his struggles - the sight of him back on the pitch in the Premier League would be a wonderful full-circle moment.

With how long the 37-cap England international has been around, it's so easy to forget he is just 28.

Having played 269 times for Tottenham Hotspur with some magical individual moments in North London, Everton and everybody else knows that he can be a real asset once back into a groove and back in the side.

Dele is, in fact, now out of contract but will certainly earn a new deal should he show he can offer something to a Toffees squad which has cried out for what he has previously demonstrated on the field.

In other Everton news, an update is provided on Dominic Calvert-Lewin's situation.

For more Everton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.