76

Dele Alli didn’t just disappear. He drifted. Slowly, awkwardly. From stadium lights to silence. The move to Como was supposed to be quiet on purpose. No Premier League noise, no tabloid glare. Just football, under a coach like Cesc Fàbregas, who might actually understand what it’s like to carry that kind of weight so young. But by August, he was out. Not benched. Not injured. Banished. One game. One red card. Then gone. What’s unfolding now isn’t just a story about a player in decline. It’s about how a career can thin out when no one quite knows what to do with the person behind it.

Here’s the full profile of Dele Alli.

Early Banishment: Only One Appearance, Then a Sudden Exit

Having joined Como in Serie A in January 2025 on an 18-month free transfer deal, Alli was aiming for a career reboot after a difficult spell in England and Turkey. But his momentum stalled abruptly—he made his first and only appearance on March 15, 2025, as an 81st-minute substitute against AC Milan and received a straight red card ten minutes later following a VAR-reviewed foul on Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

That red card became symbolic. Alli has not been featured since. Fàbregas announced he no longer features in tactical plans, relegating him to training separately alongside other outcast players, excluding him from the club’s pre-season camp and season squad.

Fitness, Form, and Fading Faith

Reports from Italian sources like Gazzetta dello Sport say Fàbregas believes Alli poses more risk than reward—chronic fitness issues and a lack of match form have been central to the sidelining decisions. Critics note that Como are prioritizing younger, fitter players as they build for the next campaign.

Alli’s struggles trace back further: after Everton, he had a loan spell at Beşiktaş hampered by injury and mental health issues. In 2023, he entered rehab for a sleeping pill addiction, revealing personal trauma, including childhood abuse, in public interviews.

Retirement Talk? Mixed Signals

Some sources suggested Alli was considering retirement at just 29—a steep exit for a player once tipped for greatness. But more balanced reporting, particularly from The Times and talkSPORT, rejects that narrative. They quote insiders and former teammates stating he remains hungry to return to playing and is actively seeking a new club if Como have closed the door for good.

Voices of Concern: Rio Ferdinand and Dean Lewington

Football luminaries have weighed in. Rio Ferdinand described the situation as deeper than poor form—suggesting personal mental health and psychological dynamics behind the downfall, noting the damaging effect of media exposure like Tottenham’s “All or Nothing” documentary and Mourinho’s public scolding of Alli. Similarly, former MK Dons teammate Dean Lewington lamented that what seemed like the right move to Como simply did not work out due to a combination of injuries, mental fatigue, and lack of opportunity

 Timeline: How Quickly Things Unraveled

Date      Event

Jan 19, 2025        Signs with Como on a free 18-month deal after leaving Everton

On Feb 19, 2025, Fàbregas advises patience and suggests the debut may be delayed to next season.

Mar 2, 2025 Named unused substitute vs Roma, no playtime granted

Mar 15 2025      Debut vs AC Milan; sent off within 10 minutes after VAR-reviewed four

Summer 2025    Removed from first-team plans; trains separately; preseason excluded

Aug 2025            Retirement talk appears in tabloids, but also reports he’s seeking a new club

 A Broader Perspective: From England’s Future to Serie A Outcast

A Stark Fall from Grace

Alli was once among football’s most promising young talents. He earned PFA Young Player of the Year twice, helped Tottenham to Champions League finals, and won 37 England caps Yet between injuries, off-field issues, and public scrutiny, his career has steeply declined.

Mental Health and Media Consequences

His experience underscores the real-world impact of mental health challenges and how public exposure—including during his time on Amazon’s Spurs documentary—can compound pressure on young players. Rupert Ferdinand and Lewington see his Como exile as symptomatic of unaddressed needs rather than failing talent

What’s Next?

If retirement is off the table—as recent reputable reports suggest—then the question is where he might go next. His contract runs until 2026, but Como appear ready to move on. A fresh start at a lower level may offer a lifeline. Ultimately, his career trajectory now depends on fitness, opportunity, and continued mental health support

Final Reflections

There’s something tragic about how quickly the arc bent for Alli—from electrifying potential to sidelined outcast within months at Como. But pinning it on form or fitness alone misses the bigger picture. Here lies a player wrestling with mental health, injury setbacks, and public breakdowns—all in an unforgiving spotlight. I’m watching not with schadenfreude but hope that Ali can find a supportive environment and reclaim some of his professional identity. His story is a caution and also a plea for empathy.