Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has ripped into Dele Alli after recommending his nephew, Frank Lampard to sign the midfielder at Everton.
Once regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation, Alli has failed to live up to the expectations.
The Englishman burst onto the scene at Spurs and produced a string of stellar performances, but in recent years, his career has taken a drastic turn.
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After falling down the pecking order at Spurs, a move to Everton beckoned for Alli, and a chance to reignite his career under the guidance of England and Chelsea legend Lampard.
However, his time at Goodison Park was a disappointment, this summer, at the age of 26, Alli moved to the Turkish Super Lig to play for Besiktas.
Now, former Spurs boss Redknapp has blasted Alli, the 75-year-old revealed that he called Lampard and recommended him to sign Alli.
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Redknapp told talkSPORT: “I called Frank and said, ‘take the chance on Dele Alli. He’s got fantastic ability and you can get him going’.
“Going to a big club like Everton could give him a big lift and Frank said he was down the road already and I said, ‘brilliant, I think he’ll be great for you’.”
Redknapp then branded Alli’s time on Merseyside as a ‘disaster’.
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He continued: “He was a disaster, a disaster. I watched him play and he loses the ball, he walks and doesn’t run, I don’t know what’s happened to him.
“He’s gone to Turkey, where is his career going?
“He turned up to sign for Everton in a Rolls Royce into a working class, council area surrounded by old houses painted blue and white where people live for their football.
“He turned up in a Rolls Royce, who does he think he is?”
The former West Ham and Bournemouth manager then warned Alli that he is running out of time to turn his career around.
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Redknapp added: “I’ve had more arguments and stuck up for him more than anyone but Frank took a gamble on him and it backfired badly and now he’s shipped off to Turkey.
“He was playing for England a few years ago and was one of the best midfield players anywhere.
“He could have gone to Man United, to Liverpool, to Man City or played for anybody during that time at Tottenham, but he’s lost it. He’s lost that hunger.
“Can he get it back? Why didn’t he get it back at Everton? He’s running out of options I’m afraid.”
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Alli started and played 78 minutes during Besiktas’ 3-1 win over Sivasspor. The Istanbul club are currently top of the Super Lig with ten points.
Topics: Everton, Dele Alli, Harry Redknapp, Frank Lampard, Besiktas
Marcus Chan