Dele Alli's shocking revelations have shone a light on the mental health problems he's faced, and still may have to face, and there's proof he's in the right place for them.
Speaking to Gary Neville on the Overlap, Alli revealed that he had been sexually abused as a child at six years-old and was selling drugs at seven.
It was quite a galling account of his life growing up and as many pointed out was proof that he'd done well in life to make it to 27, never mind reach the top of his profession.
Advert
Though the past few years have not been kind to him on the pitch, there is no doubt just how good the midfielder was at his peak and potentially could be again.
He is the latest high profile player to reveal that he has had mental health problems and even suffered with addiction from sleeping pills.
The Everton midfielder entered into rehab a few weeks back and is now preparing for the start of next season with the Toffees, having also returned from injury.
Advert
It remains to be seen if he is in Dyche's plans for the campaign but it seems that the former Burnley boss is the right man to have around for Alli.
A video of former Clarets striker Keith Treacy talking about his own issues has been posted and it's a really interesting insight.
"Sean Dyche took a real interest in me as a human being," the former Republic of Ireland player told the Under the Cosh podcast.
Advert
"He was probably the only manager who really tried to sort me out as a human.
"I remember he used to bring me on jogs around Burnley city centre.
"You know managers would say 'once you get fit you'll be in my team,' and then say 'f**k off over there and get fit.' He said to me 'once you get fit you'll be in the team, I'll take you for a jog.'
"And he did it with my everyday. I trained and he'd say 'come on we'll go for a jog,' so he was there with me.
"We'd end up having chats. Like a bleeding psychiatrist, like a father and son. Chatting about my family, my home and what's wrong with me."
Advert
One of the hosts interjects: "Could you open up to him?"
"Yeah I opened up to him, big style," Tracey said, "Yeah a lot. And when he didn't recoil in horror and say 'f***ing hell, what's this fella all about?', it gave me that bit of confidence that I could keep talking about the things like the depression, everything I was dealing with, the drinking.
"I say I opened up to him, I didn't tell him the extent of my drinking. I'd tell him I'd had a bit here or there.
"He took an interest in me as a human being and said, 'Keith I don't care if you go on and make 200 appearances or 10, I care about you as a human.'"
Featured Image Credit: Under the Cosh/GettyTopics: Everton, Burnley, Premier League, Football, Dele Alli
