Former Spurs midfielder believes the move to Everton will serve Dele Alli well

Tottenham Hotspur decided to end the Dele Alli era in north London after three managers could not help the 25-year-old rediscover his past form under manager Mauricio Pochettino. 

Former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara believes the change in scenery to Everton could be massively helpful in the two-time PFA Young Player of the Year reinvigorating himself. 

O’Hara stated that he doesn’t believe that Alli is deadwood during an appearance on Sky Sports. 

“Dele Alli is not deadwood; he’s had a fantastic career at the football club. The last few seasons, it’s just not worked out for him; he just hasn’t been the same Dele Alli that we saw burst onto the scene,” O’Hara said. 

“I think this is a brilliant move for him, for [Frank] Lampard, for Everton, and it works for Spurs as well. Everton are not competing with Spurs this season, so it allows him to go and play his football. I watched him against Liverpool not so long ago. Antonio Conte started him, and I thought he was absolutely fantastic.”

Alli arrives at Goodison Park on a performance-based deal. Everton must pay £10 million once the 25-year-old plays 20 matches. The deal will reportedly reach £40-million if the midfielder returns to his past form, with Alli signing a two-and-a-half-year contract. 

O’Hara believes that being managed under former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard will serve the midfielder well. Lampard was reportedly asking for Alli as it seems the English boss thinks he can help him rediscover his past form as the last three previous Spurs managers have been unable to do in the past couple of years. 

“The problem with him is consistency. He doesn’t do it week in week out, so a manager can’t trust him. And that’s the problem you have; you’ve got to be a seven or eight out of 10 every week. He’s either a nine, or he’s a four out of 10, and you can’t be like that in the Premier League,” O’Hara said.

“I think Lampard will get the best out of him. He’s very similar to the way they want to play; let him arrive late in the box get on the end of things. I think Dele Alli could resurrect his career at Everton.”