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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="footballco-bet-betsense">{"type":"footballco-bet-betsense","data":{}}</script><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_d6e1e5da-7d9a-43d5-97e1-f4350a3cd7e3"}}</script><ul><li>Last appearance was made in February 2023</li><li>Currently a free agent but training with Toffees</li><li>Big decisions required on what happens next</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>

Doctor predicts when injury-ravaged Dele Alli could give up after 19 months out – with ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ getting smaller for ex-Tottenham & Everton midfielder

Premier League

Nottingham Forest

Tottenham

Everton

<p>The ex-England international took in his last competitive appearance on February 26, 2023. He was on loan in Turkey with Besiktas at the time, having <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">only managed 13 outings for Everton</a> since linking up with them from Tottenham in January 2022.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Dele’s contract with the Toffees has expired, making him a free agent, but he continues to train with the Premier League outfit in a bid to recapture form and fitness – with <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">fresh terms not being completely ruled out</a> on Merseyside.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The 28-year-old has, however, been plagued by injuries and remains some way off a return to action at the very highest level. Questions have been asked of <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">whether he could retire</a>, or drop <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/injury-ravaged-dele-alli-playing-non-league-football-warning-ex-tottenham-star-struggles-earn-new-contract-everton/blt386ba2bfd893c172" target="_blank">down the English Football League ladder</a>, with a fresh start required somewhere.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Dr Rajpal Brar, a specialist in physical therapy and sports science, has told <a href="https://www.goodisonnews.com/2024/11/10/dele-alli-behind-the-scenes-claim-emerges-as-everton-return-on-cards/ " target="_blank"><em>Goodison News</em></a> of what happens next for Dele: "I think it really just comes down to if Alli feels he has the ongoing resilience and patience to continue to keep fighting. He hasn’t played in 19 months and had multiple setbacks so it’s not easy to continue to keep your head up and go through that daily fight, particularly if the light at the end of the tunnel continually gets smaller.</p><p>"The point at which Dele decides it’s not worth it anymore, I imagine that’s when he hangs it up. It is encouraging to see him working hard behind the scenes so it seems he’s keen on returning to football and not retiring as suggested."</p>

WHAT SPECIALIST SAID

<p>Dele has offered no indication that he is preparing to hang up his boots, with there a desire to his part to silence his critics and prove any doubters wrong. He has endured a tough time on and off the field, but there is <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">no questioning his ability if a lost spark can be rekindled</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR DELE ALLI?

Doctor predicts when injury-ravaged Dele Alli could give up after 19 months out – with ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ getting smaller for ex-Tottenham & Everton midfielder | Goal.com US

A prediction has been made on when Dele Alli &quot;hangs it up&quot;, with &quot;light at the end of the tunnel&quot; getting smaller after 19 months out of action.

Doctor predicts when injury-ravaged Dele Alli could give up after 19 months out – with ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ getting smaller for ex-Tottenham &amp; Everton midfielder