Sean Dyche shares what he’s been telling Everton players about Dele Alli

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Sean Dyche has spoken highly of Dele Alli to his Everton teammates.

Speaking on beIN Sports, the Everton manager shared a private conversation he had with the midfielder.

Dele Alli has received plenty of support in recent months after he joined Gary Neville for an interview on The Overlap’s YouTube channel, in which he revealed he had been in rehab over the summer and also shared difficult stories of his childhood.

The 27-year-old joined Everton in January 2022 but hasn’t made an appearance for the Toffees in over a year.

While there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding Dele’s future as he continues his recovery from a muscle injury that has kept him out of action since March, Sean Dyche has admitted he has still taken Dele’s thoughts and feelings about the club into consideration.

When discussing Everton’s style of play this season, Dyche shared a conversation he had had with Dele recently.

“Recently actually I had a chat with Dele Alli, great fella who has gone through a lot,” Dyche said.

“I had a chat with him and said, ‘Dele, what’s your thoughts [on our football]? He said, ‘I think you need to define with these players when you talk about direct play, I think they think that you mean kicking it forwards, but I know you don’t.’

“He worked under Pochettino who is similar. It’s about direct, passing football. Get turned play forwards, get turned play forwards. Dele got it.

“I told the players and I told them exactly the same story because I wanted them to understand that Dele now is in a really good place and he’s watching what we do and he’s thinking about it. And he’s exactly right. We want direct play in the sense of play forward first.”

Can Dele Alli come back stronger for Everton?

Dele Alli has proven through his huge success at Tottenham Hotspur and the conversations he has with Sean Dyche that he has a brilliant football brain and knows exactly how to bring enjoyment to Goodison Park.

It would have been interesting if the former England international had been fit to play straight after his interview with Gary Neville, as I think we could have well seen him make a very positive impact coming the back off all of his support.

However, Dele’s injury setbacks have left the club and supporters rather frustrated.

Everyone will have their fingers crossed that he can come back and push on, but it is a big ask for him to make such an impact after so many years of his own personal difficulties and the pressure that has been on him.