Three Championship clubs could give former Tottenham star Dele Alli a lifeline after Como contract terminated
Former Tottenham Hotspur star Deli Alli is looking for a fresh start after a short-lived spell in Serie A
The career developments of Dele Alli will have made unpleasant viewing for Tottenham Hotspur fans ever since the former boy wonder departed North London in 2022.
Alli had the world at his feet as a young player at Spurs and won the PFA Young Player of the Year award two years running as a key part of Mauricio Pochettino’s eye-catching Lilywhites side, which finished as runners-up in the Premier League and later reached the 2019 Champions League final.
Alli’s promising career has progressively turned for the worse from that moment onwards. The 29-year-old opened up in 2023 about the childhood trauma which, no doubt, impacted his career once things began to go wrong on the pitch.
Following unsuccessful spells at Everton, Besiktas and, most recently, Como, Alli is now a free agent once again and a fresh start may be forthcoming for the former England international.
Three Championship sides ready to take a chance on Alli
Mail Sport report that three EFL Championship outfits are ready to offer Alli an opportunity to return to England and begin the path to getting his career back on track.
The three sides in question - Birmingham City, Wrexham and West Bromwich Albion - all have high aspirations this season and will have seen in former Spurs hero Alli a supremely gifted player who is ready to spread his wings once again.
Alli is a free agent after seeing his 18-month contract with Como terminated after just eight months and one solitary appearance for the Serie A side managed by Cesc Fabregas.
Alli was given time to settle into his new surroundings before making his Serie A debut, with Fabregas saying in February: "He's working off the pitch at the moment. I don't want to put extra pressure on him, he hasn't played for months: from [Monday] he will be at full capacity with the group, after the personalised work of the last few weeks. He needs time, I spoke to him and I was clear with him: we are here to help him. We believe we can do it. We need patience to see him back on the pitch: please, let's stay calm. The last few months will be used to get back in shape for next season."
The mercurial midfielder would go on to make his Serie A debut against AC Milan on 15 March - but disaster struck, as Alli was sent off just ten minutes after his introduction as a substitute. It was wholly unfortunate, as he slipped into a clumsy tackle on Ruben Loftus-Cheek. But Alli was sent off after a VAR check and would never appear for Como again. His Serie A career was over, as soon as it had begun.
Championship move may be next step for Alli
With Birmingham, West Brom and Wrexham ready to offer Alli a lifeline in the Championship, Spurs fans and football lovers all over the country will be hoping the 37-cap former England international can find a rebirth to his career in the second tier. Alli has never played in the Championship in his career, having taken the jump up from League One MK Dons directly to Spurs in a £5million move as an 18-year-old.
The chance to move to West Brom may appear particularly enticing, as the Baggies are managed by former Spurs midfielder Ryan Mason and have made an electric start to the new season under the 34-year-old. Mason was a former team-mate of Alli’s and offered the midfielder another chance at Spurs when he was interim manager in 2021.
Wherever he ends up next, one thing is for sure. The football world will be watching on fondly, with a particular interest in N17, as one of England’s former favourite sons looks to make the best of the remainder of his playing career.