The Rise and Fall of Dele Alli

By the time the 2016-2017 season came to an end, the name ‘Dele Alli’ was being mentioned by every English football fan, and for good reason. The 21-year-old had just had a stellar season with Tottenham Hotspur, scoring 22 goals and assisting 13 in all competitions as he won the PFA Young Player of the Year award and was named in the PFA Team of the Year.

However, eight years on, Dele is without a club at the age of 29, after being released by Italian side Como after just making one appearance for the club. Begging the question, what has happened to the man who looked certain to be a future England legend?

The Quick Rise to Stardom

Dele was born in Milton Keynes and joined MK Dons youth ranks at the age of 11 and made his debut for the first team at 16 in November 2012. However, it was the 2014-15 season that got people talking.

The season saw Dele, who had begun playing regularly for MK Dons’s senior side the year before, become a first-choice player in manager Darren Potter’s side. But it was a particular game in August of that season that properly put the name Dele Alli on the map.

MK Dons took on Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United in the second round of the EFL Cup at Stadium MK, and the Dons pulled off one of the biggest shock results in the history of the competition as they thrashed the Red Devils 4-0, with Dele playing a starring role in the middle of the park.

The 2014/15 season was transformative Dele Alli announced himself to the world, starring in MK Dons’ famous 4–0 League Cup upset against Manchester United. pic.twitter.com/gCaqQYTbEg

— Seskinho 🇸🇮 (@Seskinho30) November 11, 2025

It had been rumoured that there were scouts and representatives from multiple top European clubs present at Stadium MK to watch Dele. And it would become apparent on deadline day of January 2015 as Tottenham Hotspur signed the 19-year-old for an initial £5 million transfer fee.

After being loaned back to Milton Keynes for the remainder of the 2014-15 season, Dele made his debut for Tottenham on 8th August 2015 and scored his first goal two weeks later in a 1-1 draw with soon-to-be champions Leicester City.

Dele Alli's magical goal against Crystal Palace from his debut Premier League season 🪄 pic.twitter.com/gS7a0KLL8j

— Premier League (@premierleague) October 26, 2024

Dele’s season in North London would prove to be a magnificent success, scoring and assisting ten each in all competitions, with one particular goal away at Selhurst Park vs Crystal Palace earning the goal of the season award. The season ended with Dele being named PFA Young Player of the Year.

And things would get even better for Dele the following season, scoring 18 Premier League goals and being named in the PFA Team of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year for a second consecutive season, cementing himself as one of the brightest young stars in European football.

1 minuto do prime Dele Alli. pic.twitter.com/tMVCbrVFKo

— Curiosidades PL (@CuriosidadesPRL) November 21, 2025

The Beginning of the End

The following two seasons at Tottenham for Dele wouldn’t see the midfielder quite match the levels set in his first two campaigns in North London, with steady but often inconsistent form often earning Dele criticism.

Despite that, Dele would remain a key player for Tottenham and captained the club for the first time in an EFL Cup tie vs Watford. The match was played at Stadium MK due to the construction of Tottenham’s new stadium, marking Dele’s first return to his hometown club.

Captain @dele_official returns home.

( 📸 - @LeagooOfficial )#COYS pic.twitter.com/YHZOYhFeCD

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 27, 2018

However, the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino and hiring of Jose Mourinho at Tottenham would be a negative turning point in Dele’s career. Despite initially starting well under the Portuguese coach, the start of the 2020-21 season saw Dele fall out of favour with Mourinho, with starts in the Premier League becoming rare.

A match vs Fulham on 4th March saw Dele start a Premier League match with Spurs for the first time in six months. And it wouldn’t get much better under both Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte, with Dele only starting eight games in the first six months of the 2021-22 season before being put up for transfer.

Departure from Tottenham

On 31st January 2022, Everton would sign Dele for an initial free transfer, but with bonuses potentially reaching a fee of £40 million. However, in two years on Merseyside, Dele would struggle to make an impact as he battled with injury problems. And failed to score in 13 appearances before being loaned to Turkey with Istanbul giants Besiktas.

We have reached agreement with Everton for the transfer of Dele.

Wishing you the very best, @dele_official!

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 1, 2022

Dele would start brightly at Besiktas, scoring his first goal in over a year in his second game for the side. However, new manager Senol Gunes took charge in October, and Dele eventually fell out of favour and didn’t make an appearance for the club after February 2023, sustaining a hip injury in April and returning to Everton.

More injury problems continued to plague Dele at Everton, with him not making a single appearance for the club throughout the entirety of the 2023-24 season. His contract eventually came to an end in June 2024; however, he continued to train and recover at the club.

Eventually in January 2025, Dele would find a new club. With former Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas signing Dele for Como on an initial 18-month contract.

However, Dele’s spell in Italy would again be one of disappointment. After recovering from injury, he would finally make his debut for the club on 15th March, coming on as an 81st-minute substitute away at AC Milan at San Siro. Unfortunately, Dele would be sent off for a straight red card and did not make another appearance before being released in September 2025.

Dele Alli Debut
Dele Alli Direct Red Card
😬 pic.twitter.com/7n5I5t019U

— Siaran Bola Live (@SiaranBolaLive) March 15, 2025

What’s Next for Dele?

The tale of Dele Alli is a sad one. A player who fought through many tough experiences in his personal life to make it to the Premier League and have the world at his feet. Before many different circumstances saw a player once promised to be one of the best in the world fade into the shadows.

As of early December 2025, Dele is still a free agent and without a club. However, there have been rumours of suitors and at the age of 29, there is still time for the player to revive his career in its latter years before it's too late.