Where's Tuchel?! England are wasting time without new boss

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Mbappe-Deschamps dispute rumours threaten to derail France

Everton, beware! Friedkin-owned Roma are in ruins

Top 25 England moments of the 21st century - ranked

Mendes responds to Ronaldo criticism of Portugal players

Raphinha surprises wonderkid Yamal with £10k gold iPhone

Rodri admits he wouldn't have even chosen Vinicius Jr. as Ballon d'Or runner-up

Real Madrid midfielder announces shock retirement in emotional letter

‘Can't think long term’ – Ronaldo admits he may not reach 1,000 goals

Endrick set to be offered 'escape route' out of Real Madrid

Kane benched! England squad stunned by huge selection call

'Football's biggest waste' - Adriano admits he's 'drinking to oblivion'

Manchester City

Manchester United

Liverpool

Arsenal

Chelsea

Other

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>No appearance in over 18 months</li><li>Fitness issues have held him back</li><li>Can still prove worth with Toffees</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Injury-ravaged Dele Alli sent ‘playing non-league football’ warning as ex-Tottenham star struggles to earn new contract at Everton

Premier League

Everton

Brentford

Tottenham

<p>The former England international has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/dele-alli-2026-world-cup-premier-league-transfer-ambition-return-everton-training-free-agency/blt123d00a86c108658" target="_blank">not enjoyed a competitive outing of any kind</a> since February 2023, during a forgettable loan spell at Turkish outfit Besiktas. He has endured issues on and off the field since then, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ex-everton-scout-explains-why-dele-alli-strange-signing-midfielder-challenged-new-contract-goodison-park/blt5c3f8858edd00281" target="_blank">fitness concerns often holding him back</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>That has been the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/dele-alli-injury-ravaged-midfielder-back-on-grass-everton-former-tottenham-star-tries-earn-new-contract/blt9426cb37d804be35" target="_blank">case again of late</a>, with Dele being prevented from staking his claim to a new contract at Everton – having become a free agent at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. There has been talk of him being <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/revealed-catch-22-holding-dele-alli-back-everton-terms-tottenham-deal-ex-england-international-world-cup-2026-motivational-message-injury/blt2e4cb8a2eba82d26" target="_blank">eased back into action at U21 level</a>, with it imperative that he <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/dele-alli-league-one-ex-tottenham-star-step-down-league-or-two-transfer-advice-disaster-everton/blt8ce341837e419721" target="_blank">takes every minute on the pitch seriously</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Former Everton scout Bryan King has been eager to hammer that point home, telling <a href="https://www.goodisonnews.com/2024/11/10/dele-alli-could-end-up-in-non-league-football-after-latest-everton-update/ " target="_blank"><em>Goodison News</em></a> of how Dele <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/unhappy-christmas-dele-alli-when-everton-give-up-ex-tottenham-star-another-injury-setback/bltbf029a1effcd9240" target="_blank">could tumble even further</a> if he fails to impress: “He has got to prove himself. Match fitness, his own personal fitness and the ability to be involved in games. These are things he needs to prove. This is a telling time for him to see whether all the work he has done will pay off. Whether you’re playing for the Under-21s or first team, your attitude needs to be the same, and your performance must be the same.</p><p>“If he is picked to play for the Under-21s, with the experience that he’s got, he should be a standout player. He has work to do, that is for sure. However, if he has the chance to play, this should be his cup final. He should be proving that he is worth signing. Otherwise, he will be playing non-league football. It will be tough for him, but if he comes through it then good luck to him. He’s not an old player, he still has that on his side.”</p>

WHAT EX-EVERTON SCOUT SAID

<p>Dele is 28 years of age, having made a senior breakthrough while still in his teens. He was once considered to be <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/tottenham-snubbed-chance-sell-dele-alli-over-80m-ex-england-international-free-agent-fighting-future-injury-struggles-everton/blt0748c4155f9d8e13" target="_blank">one of the best goalscoring midfielders on the planet</a>, but has endured a humbling fall from grace and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/should-dele-alli-retire-another-injury-future-question-asked-ex-tottenham-star-setback-bid-new-everton-contract/blta5081fd9e373c64e" target="_blank">needs to steer clear of the treatment table in order to prove his worth</a> all over again.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR DELE ALLI?

Injury-ravaged Dele Alli sent ‘playing non-league football’ warning as ex-Tottenham star struggles to earn new contract at Everton | Goal.com

Injury-ravaged Dele Alli has been warned he could end up “playing non-league football” if every appearance from here isn’t treated like a “cup final”.