NEW DELE
Everton boss Dyche hints that Dele Alli could be offered new contract despite former England star missing entire season
Midfielder could be utilised in special matches
DELE ALLI could be offered a new Everton contract despite missing all of last season through injury.
The former Tottenham and England star, 28, saw his Toffees deal expire last month after just 13 appearances in two-and-a-half years.
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Alli didn’t feature once in the previous campaign due to fitness issues.
But he has continued to train with Everton at Finch Farm despite technically being a free agent.
And Toffees boss Sean Dyche admits Alli could play his way into a new deal if he impresses in some behind-closed-doors friendlies.
Dyche declared: “He is close but not there yet. And don’t forget, he’s hardly had any football — as in games — for a long time.
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“The club have outlined ‘what ifs?’ but the first thing is just to get him back out there, running freely, playing, training, and wait and see.
“It’s not just a case of getting fit and running around with the first team. He needs games, so a programme has got to come next.
“When you’ve been out that long, you need a period of building up and getting to true fitness. That could take three or four games.”
Earlier this year, Alli bravely opened up on his mental health battle after previously revealing his childhood trauma over being abused and selling drugs.
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He also went to rehab for a sleeping pill addiction.
But Alli told Monday Night Football that he was getting back to a better place.
Dele Alli hailed for opening up on mental health battles as Everton star joins Monday Night Football panel
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He said: “I’m doing really well, it’s been nearly a year now.
“I’m feeling good, obviously injured which is disappointing.
“I think when I did that interview that I’d said it was the best I’d felt at that time, obviously coming out of rehab and getting ready to be back playing.
“It’s been tough but it’s a journey I’ve been on and I’m enjoying it and just waiting to get back now.
“The reaction and support that I got was obviously overwhelming.
“It was amazing to see how many people that did help and I’m definitely very proud of it.”
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