Dele Alli made his return to a squad for the first time in over two years, as the 28-year-old was named on the bench for Como’s recent Serie A match against AS Roma.
Given his last appearance came in February 2023 when he was on loan at Besiktas from Everton, this was a significant step in his quest to get back to playing at the elite level.
Having signed an 18-month deal with Cesc Fabregas’ compelling side in January, it’s hugely positive to see the tremendously gifted Alli, who’s endured a tough time of late both on and off the pitch, back on the scene and ready for action.
“We know his history and he knows that he has to take four months to be able to readjust to professional football, with training, day after day,” Fabregas recently said.
“Now he trains separately, in about 10 days he will be added to the group. I can’t give a date, we are here to help him. If we feel he is ready, we will manage him. Maybe it will be just 20 minutes, maybe eight games. He has to believe he can return to being the great player he was and he has that strength. He has a goal in mind and he believes in it. He is fired up and hungry, let’s see if his body will support him.”
Even though his Como debut didn’t go as envisaged due to him being sent off within 10 minutes vs. AC Milan, given, it’ll be hoped this is just a blip, as he’s got plenty of scope for improvement.
In an ideal environment at Como to gradually be eased back into the fray and working under the patient tutelage of Fabregas, a man who’s well aware of his incredible talent, observing how he fares will be fascinating.
Indeed, fans of Como and across the globe will be hoping the former England international can return to a level resembling his best, for on his day, there aren’t many better players than the silky-skilled playmaker. “There is so much to like about how he plays the games,” Steven Gerrard explained to the Telegraph on what a force Alli can be.
“He has technique and attitude. It’s not just his skill I admire, but his temperament. I like his football arrogance where he absorbs every challenge and gets on the ball as if he belongs on the biggest of stages. And I like that touch of nastiness he has – not in a bad way – but where he is not going to be intimidated on the pitch but will bully opponents rather than let himself be bullied.”
Intelligent, instinctive, elegant and a technical genius, watching Alli in full flight is a real joy, as his mastery with the ball at his feet should be a massive boost for the ambitious Como if all goes to plan.
Seeing as Como play a very modern and offensive brand of possession football, this should suit his attributes perfectly and give him an ideal platform to wreak havoc with his creative passing and inventive dribbling.
Capable of conjuring moments of magic out of nowhere to change matches in an instant, the Lariani faithful are set to be in for a treat witnessing him carve open defences with precise through balls and combination play, plus via his ball carrying wizardry that sees him outfox foes with a whirring blend of invention, physicality, explosiveness, artistry and trickery.
The graphics below aptly underline his menace and what an asset he can be.
A very crafty finisher to accompany the aforementioned, he’ll definitely add to Como’s final third threat with his prowess here. Proving over the years how he can find the back of the net with clinical first-time strikes, beautifully placed efforts, remarkable headers, venomous power or enviable finesse, this is a vital string to the two-footed Alli’s bow (graphic below from his wonderful 2016/2017 season).
Boasting superb spatial awareness, thanks to his constant scanning, which provides him with a continuously updated mental image of his surroundings, he always knows where free space, defenders and teammates are.
Such a difficult man to combat as a result of his speed, athleticism and smarts, Alli expertly finds space between the lines and in the half spaces, plus can exploit openings in behind, down the channels and in the box with his searing late-arriving surges.
So good at finding avenues to impact, much upside can also be found from how he can operate in a host of midfield positions, as he’s comfortable in advanced areas, deeper and even out wide, and through his shrewd rotations during matches, to keep opponents on their toes (map underneath from the 2016/2017 season).
The fact he’s worked under so many tactically astute managers, such as Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Gareth Southgate and Nuno Espirito Santo, means he crucially should have little worry adapting to Fabregas’ sophisticated framework.
Versatile, forever unsettling backlines, such a phenom on the ball and a wicked space invader, adversaries in Serie A will need to be very wary of the multifaceted midfielder.
Tenacious and tireless in his defensive output, his running power, snap in the tackle, long legs, aggressive pressing and strong engine will mean the ex-Tottenham Hotspur star should contribute admirably in this phase too.
Relishing this fresh start in the picturesque city of Como, the man who’s earned 37 caps for England, was named to the Premier League Team of the Year three times and has been awarded the Premier League Young Player of the Year twice is eager to do everything he can to repay the club and Fabregas’ faith in him.
While adapting to a new league and country is never easy, the opportunity to rediscover his best at Como and play a key role in their pursuit to take Serie A by storm is extremely exciting.
With his quality, determination and desire, Alli still has time to prove that this chapter can be the beginning of a successful resurgence in his career, which would be inspiring to see after all he’s been through.
Exciting opportunity arises for Dele Alli to resurrect career at Como under Fabregas
Dele Alli made his return to a squad for the first time in over two years, as the 28-year-old was named on the bench for Como’s recent Serie A match against AS Roma.
Given his last appearance came in February 2023 when he was on loan at Besiktas from Everton, this was a significant step in his quest to get back to playing at the elite level.
Having signed an 18-month deal with Cesc Fabregas’ compelling side in January, it’s hugely positive to see the tremendously gifted Alli, who’s endured a tough time of late both on and off the pitch, back on the scene and ready for action.
“We know his history and he knows that he has to take four months to be able to readjust to professional football, with training, day after day,” Fabregas recently said.
“Now he trains separately, in about 10 days he will be added to the group. I can’t give a date, we are here to help him. If we feel he is ready, we will manage him. Maybe it will be just 20 minutes, maybe eight games. He has to believe he can return to being the great player he was and he has that strength. He has a goal in mind and he believes in it. He is fired up and hungry, let’s see if his body will support him.”
Even though his Como debut didn’t go as envisaged due to him being sent off within 10 minutes vs. AC Milan, given, it’ll be hoped this is just a blip, as he’s got plenty of scope for improvement.
In an ideal environment at Como to gradually be eased back into the fray and working under the patient tutelage of Fabregas, a man who’s well aware of his incredible talent, observing how he fares will be fascinating.
Indeed, fans of Como and across the globe will be hoping the former England international can return to a level resembling his best, for on his day, there aren’t many better players than the silky-skilled playmaker. “There is so much to like about how he plays the games,” Steven Gerrard explained to the Telegraph on what a force Alli can be.
“He has technique and attitude. It’s not just his skill I admire, but his temperament. I like his football arrogance where he absorbs every challenge and gets on the ball as if he belongs on the biggest of stages. And I like that touch of nastiness he has – not in a bad way – but where he is not going to be intimidated on the pitch but will bully opponents rather than let himself be bullied.”
Intelligent, instinctive, elegant and a technical genius, watching Alli in full flight is a real joy, as his mastery with the ball at his feet should be a massive boost for the ambitious Como if all goes to plan.
Seeing as Como play a very modern and offensive brand of possession football, this should suit his attributes perfectly and give him an ideal platform to wreak havoc with his creative passing and inventive dribbling.
Capable of conjuring moments of magic out of nowhere to change matches in an instant, the Lariani faithful are set to be in for a treat witnessing him carve open defences with precise through balls and combination play, plus via his ball carrying wizardry that sees him outfox foes with a whirring blend of invention, physicality, explosiveness, artistry and trickery.
The graphics below aptly underline his menace and what an asset he can be.
A very crafty finisher to accompany the aforementioned, he’ll definitely add to Como’s final third threat with his prowess here. Proving over the years how he can find the back of the net with clinical first-time strikes, beautifully placed efforts, remarkable headers, venomous power or enviable finesse, this is a vital string to the two-footed Alli’s bow (graphic below from his wonderful 2016/2017 season).
Boasting superb spatial awareness, thanks to his constant scanning, which provides him with a continuously updated mental image of his surroundings, he always knows where free space, defenders and teammates are.
Such a difficult man to combat as a result of his speed, athleticism and smarts, Alli expertly finds space between the lines and in the half spaces, plus can exploit openings in behind, down the channels and in the box with his searing late-arriving surges.
So good at finding avenues to impact, much upside can also be found from how he can operate in a host of midfield positions, as he’s comfortable in advanced areas, deeper and even out wide, and through his shrewd rotations during matches, to keep opponents on their toes (map underneath from the 2016/2017 season).
The fact he’s worked under so many tactically astute managers, such as Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Gareth Southgate and Nuno Espirito Santo, means he crucially should have little worry adapting to Fabregas’ sophisticated framework.
Versatile, forever unsettling backlines, such a phenom on the ball and a wicked space invader, adversaries in Serie A will need to be very wary of the multifaceted midfielder.
Tenacious and tireless in his defensive output, his running power, snap in the tackle, long legs, aggressive pressing and strong engine will mean the ex-Tottenham Hotspur star should contribute admirably in this phase too.
Relishing this fresh start in the picturesque city of Como, the man who’s earned 37 caps for England, was named to the Premier League Team of the Year three times and has been awarded the Premier League Young Player of the Year twice is eager to do everything he can to repay the club and Fabregas’ faith in him.
While adapting to a new league and country is never easy, the opportunity to rediscover his best at Como and play a key role in their pursuit to take Serie A by storm is extremely exciting.
With his quality, determination and desire, Alli still has time to prove that this chapter can be the beginning of a successful resurgence in his career, which would be inspiring to see after all he’s been through.
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