Dele Alli not given ‘fair crack of the whip’ and still has future at Everton, says pundit

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes Dele Alli still has a long-term future under Frank Lampard at Everton.

Alli was offloaded to Besiktas on a season-long loan deal in the summer after a disappointing spell at Goodison Park. Lampard opted to sign Alli from Tottenham in February on a heavily incentivised deal.

The former England midfielder signed a two-and-a-half-year contract in a deal which could have hit £40m due to performance-related add-ons. But things did not go to plan and the former MK Dons star failed to get his career back on track.

Alli only made 13 appearances for Everton and only made one start in the Premier League – the 5-1 mauling at Arsenal. Had he reached 20 appearances for Everton the Toffees would have had to pay Tottenham £10m.

So it was no surprise that he was allowed to leave for Turkey, despite just six months at Goodison Park.

The 26-year-old, who has been capped 37 times by England is aiming, once again, to try an rejuvenate his career. And he has scored once in two appearances before picking up a thigh injury.

Alli is hoping to get his career back on track and recently spoke about a return to England.

“Everyone wants to play for the national team, it is the dream of every player. I definitely want to go back. I want to show myself here and come back,” said the Besiktas loanee.

And former England keeper Robinson thinks Alli has unfinished business in England.

Robinson told Football Insider: “Listen, there is a reason that Frank signed him.

“There is a reason he wanted him from Spurs. He saw something in him.

Dele Alli ‘is a top-class player’

“In my opinion, I do not think Alli has been given a fair opportunity yet. Everton were a struggling team last year. In that situation you look for players that work hard and you look for solidity.

“Frank wanted them to be robust and hard to beat. Dele is not that type of player. Therefore, he did not get a fair crack of the whip.

“The more time he sits on the bench the worse it is for his confidence. For him to get away and play in Turkey will help. He will be away from the spotlight of the English media.

“If Everton start to improve and play in a different way there is a place for him at Goodison Park. He is a top-class player. You do not become a bad player overnight.

“He has not done it for a few years now. But if he can find his form he would fit into any Premier League team. He has a lot of work to do though. He can do what he likes off the field if his performances on it are right.”