Former tottenham star named in matchday squad for the first time in TWO years – as Cesc Fabregas picks ex-Tottenham star in Como side travelling to Roma

Dele Alli, once considered one of the brightest young talents in English football, has faced significant struggles in recent years. After making a name for himself at Tottenham Hotspur, his career trajectory took unexpected turns, and his personal life was marked by challenges that would test even the strongest individuals. Now, after a long period of absence from competitive football, Alli has been named in a matchday squad for the first time in two years, bringing a sense of hope and redemption for the 28-year-old player.

Dele Alli’s journey in football began when he was signed by Tottenham Hotspur from MK Dons at the age of 18. From the moment he arrived, it was clear that he had immense potential. Under the guidance of manager Mauricio Pochettino, Alli quickly became an integral part of the team. His dynamic playing style, vision, and ability to score crucial goals made him a fan favorite and a key player for Spurs. In 2019, his contributions helped Spurs reach the Champions League final, where they faced Liverpool. Although Spurs lost that final, Alli’s performance throughout the tournament had showcased his ability to perform on the biggest stages.

However, despite the promise he had shown, Alli’s career began to falter after the departure of Pochettino. The sacking of Pochettino in November 2019 marked the beginning of a turbulent period for Alli. Under new managers José Mourinho, Nuno Espírito Santo, and Antonio Conte, Alli struggled to maintain his place in the starting lineup. His form dropped significantly, and he often found himself on the bench, unable to regain the consistency and confidence that had once made him one of the Premier League’s brightest stars. Despite flashes of brilliance, Alli could never find his rhythm under these new managers, and his time at Tottenham began to feel like it was winding down.

In January 2022, after years of uncertainty, Dele Alli left Tottenham for Everton on a free transfer. It was a fresh start for him, a chance to revive his career and prove that he could still play at a high level. However, his time at Everton was no better than his final years at Spurs. Despite being given opportunities, Alli failed to make a significant impact. In 13 appearances for Everton, he failed to score or provide an assist, a stark contrast to the player who had once dazzled in the Premier League. Everton’s struggles as a team also did not help Alli’s cause, and his move to Merseyside seemed like another step in his downward spiral.

I the summer of 2022, Alli was loaned to Turkish club Besiktas, where he hoped to reignite his career. This move, however, came with its own set of difficulties. While playing in Turkey, Alli faced personal demons that would come to light later. In July 2023, Alli revealed that he had struggled with an addiction to sleeping pills during his time in Turkey. He admitted that he had been hiding this addiction for a long time, and it was something that had taken a serious toll on his mental health.

“I was in a bad place mentally,” Alli said in an emotional interview. “When I came back from Turkey, I found out I needed an operation, and that’s when I decided to go to a modern-day rehab facility for mental health.”

This admission of addiction was a difficult moment for Alli, but it was also a moment of clarity. He realized that he needed to confront his issues head-on, and that was when he sought help. He checked into a rehab facility that specialized in treating addiction and trauma. This was a critical turning point in his life, as he acknowledged that his struggles were not just related to football but also to deeper, personal issues.

“It’s tough to talk about because it’s something I’ve hid for a long time,” Alli said. “But now is the right time for me to tell people what’s been going on.”

He continued, saying that he had been caught in a harmful cycle and that he needed to break free from it. He knew that he could not be forced into recovery; it had to be a decision that he made for himself. And with that decision, he began his journey toward healing. It was not an easy road, and the emotional weight of his struggles was something that he would have to carry with him for the rest of his life. But at least he had taken the first step toward overcoming those challenges.

Alli’s time at Besiktas also marked a period of reflection and self-discovery. He had always been known for his on-field talent, but now he had to confront the reality of his mental health and the impact it had on his life. The addiction to sleeping pills had taken a significant toll on him, but it also served as a wake-up call. He realized that football was not the only thing that mattered in life. His health and well-being came first, and that was something he had to prioritize. As difficult as it was to face these challenges, it was also an important part of his personal growth.

In January 2025, Dele Alli was given another chance when he was signed by Serie A club Como. The move to Italy was seen as a fresh start, a chance to rebuild his career and regain the confidence that had once made him a star. Como, a club with a smaller profile than some of the more prominent Serie A teams, was a good place for Alli to regain his footing. The club’s manager, Cesc Fàbregas, who is also a former Premier League star, took a cautious approach with Alli’s return to football. He was aware of Alli’s struggles and did not want to rush him back into action too quickly. Fàbregas emphasized that it would take time for Alli to fully regain his fitness and confidence after such a long period without playing.

“I don’t want to put extra pressure on him,” Fàbregas said. “He hasn’t played for months, and we have to be careful about how much we ask of him.”

Despite these cautious remarks, Alli was determined to prove himself once again. He had been training with Como since Christmas, working on his fitness and getting back into match shape. And now, for the first time in two years, he was named in a matchday squad. The match against Roma, set to take place on a Sunday afternoon, would be a crucial opportunity for Alli to show that he still had what it took to compete at the highest level.

This match against Roma would be significant for Dele Alli. It marked the first time he had been included in a professional matchday squad since February 2023, when he last played for Besiktas. For Alli, this was not just a chance to play football again; it was a chance to reclaim his life, his career, and his sense of self-worth. It was a symbol of his resilience and his ability to overcome the personal struggles that had threatened to derail his career.

While the road to recovery has been long and filled with obstacles, Dele Alli’s story is one of hope and redemption. His struggles with addiction, mental health, and form have been well-documented, but now he has an opportunity to start fresh. His inclusion in Como’s matchday squad is a testament to his perseverance and the support he has received from those around him.

It is clear that the road ahead will not be easy for Alli. There will be more challenges, both on and off the field, as he continues to rebuild his life. But for now, the fact that he is back in the professional football world is a significant achievement. And who knows? This may just be the beginning of a new chapter in his career, one in which he can rediscover his love for the game and achieve the success that once seemed inevitable.

The football world will be watching closely as Dele Alli takes this next step in his journey. Fans will be hoping that this marks the start of a positive chapter for the talented playmaker, one where he can overcome the struggles that have plagued him for so long and once again become the player he was always meant to be.