"I hope to..." Mauricio Pochettino plans to call Dele Alli in bid to "help" ex-Spurs star

New Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino plans to call Dele Alli in a bid to 'help' the Everton star.

Pochettino arrived at Chelsea this summer, hoping to lift the mood at Stamford Bridge after a dismal trophyless season and 12th-place Premier League finish last term.

In particular, the Argentinian will be hoping to get a tune out of last season’s pricey signings, with Enzo Fernández, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling and Marc Cucurella having all struggled for form at various points in their short Chelsea careers.

While Pochettino has a massive job on his hands in west London, he has admitted he still keeps an eye on the fortunes of Dele, who he coached during both of their times at Spurs.

The 27-year-old has returned to pre-season training at Everton, after a disappointing loan spell at Besiktas, but it remains to be seen whether he has any part in Sean Dyche’s plans at Goodison Park.

Pochettino on Alli

Pochettino helped get the best out of Dele at Spurs. Indeed, between 2015 and 2022, the midfielder netted 67 goals in 269 appearances while earning 37 caps for England.

However, Dele has since drastically regressed and Pochettino admitted he is eager to contact his former player and “help” him.

On contacting Dele, Pochettino said: “I hope to have some time to call and see because he is a great guy and I want to talk a little bit with him and hear.

“I want to help him and see what is going on with him. He is still young. And for sure he has the mentality.

“Now it’s a long time since I spoke to him but I want to contact him again and see what is going on.”

Everton fans will be hoping Dele can rediscover his lost spark at Goodison Park. Indeed, Dyche suggested a decision on Dele’s future would be gaged from his performances in pre-season.

On the player’s enigmatic talents, Dyche said: “There isn’t anything other than getting him fit. I’ve heard all the noise, I’ve heard all the opinions and I’m pretty sure you’re aware that I like to make my own.

“But he needs to get fit. I’ve met him but I haven’t seen him train, I haven’t seen him play for Everton, I haven’t seen him train with us every day.”

Topics: Football, Everton, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Mauricio Pochettino, Dele Alli

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.