TalkSPORT host Simon Jordan has questioned Dele Alli's professional pride in a scathing assessment of the former England international following his move to Everton.
The 25-year-old midfielder, who has 37 caps for his country, joined the Premier League strugglers from Tottenham on deadline day in a reported two-year deal that could cost up to £40 million.
Alli has made a total of six appearances since his move to Goodison Park but the former MK Dons man has struggled to make an immediate impact under Frank Lampard.
Everton fell to a 2-1 defeat against West Ham on Sunday, with Dele Alli an unused substitute in the Premier League clash.
And as the Toffees sit just three points above the relegation zone in 17th, former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan has labelled Alli a "complete waste of time" on talkSPORT.
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“He’s a complete and utter waste of time," Jordan said. "He was a waste of time at Tottenham for two years, he’s been a waste of time being signed for Everton - it was a waste of time signing.
“I hope I’m wrong because the boy was talented. I don’t think he was ever at a level people built him up to, all of a sudden he was the best number 10 in the world and people were making cases about what a wonderful player he was.
“Now he’s been drop-kicked out of Tottenham and the only reason Everton took him was the fee was deferred and paid into the long grass based upon performance.
“Based upon performance, Everton will get a rebate.
“The kid has got to be embarrassed. Is there any level of professional pride? You’ve been booted out of Tottenham two or three managers didn’t want you, you’ve seen [Jose] Mourinho decimate the way you approach training.”
Jordan's comments come just days after Dele Alli was told to retire at the age of just 25 if he no longer loves football.
Writing in his column for The Mirror, former Liverpool forward Stan Collymore said: "Dele needs to answer some serious questions, for himself, no one else.
"He has to ask: Do you want to play professional football, or are you not cut out for it?
"Dele Alli may decide he doesn't love it anymore. Go and find something you are passionate about, and don't cheat the game by going on a circus around other Premier League clubs.
"He'd be cheating the fans and clubs and managers of those clubs.
"He's gone from the next golden midfielder in Europe, to people asking if he is still a Premier League player.
"The answers can only come from Dele.
"Look in the mirror and be honest: Do you want to be a pro or not? Don't drift for another five years because that would be a crime against his ability."
Paul Merson, meanwhile, branded Alli's deadline day switch to Everton as "the signing of any window" before suggesting that Frank Lampard is the ideal man to get him back to his best.
"I think Dele Alli needs to get back to what Dele Alli is best at doing,” the former Arsenal and Aston Villa midfielder said on Sky Sports before the transfer was completed.
“And that was what Frank Lampard was great at doing. Making runs from deep and scoring goals.
"He sees a bit of him in Alli. He’s going for him. If he can get Dele Alli doing that, then I think he could be the signing of any window. I really do.
“He makes great runs. He times his runs right. He is a good finisher. He’s big and a good athlete. Ticks every box. Alli has just lost his way a little bit.
“I really hope he gets a move because there is a player inside him still – if he can get back to that (his goalscoring) then it would be a signing and a half.”
Thoughts on Alli's start to life at Everton? Can Lampard get the best out of him?
Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Dele Alli, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Premier League
Jack Kenmare