<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/dele-alli/">Dele Alli</a>’s long-awaited return to the pitch in 2025 had been one of the most anticipated moments of the year for fans, following a difficult stretch marked by injuries and off-field struggles. But the former England international now finds himself at a crossroads once again, with reports from Italy suggesting the 29-year-old is contemplating retirement after falling out of Cesc Fabregas’ plans at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/como/">Como 1907</a>.



After injuries derailed his time at Tottenham Hotspur, Alli made a free transfer to Everton in a bid to revive his career. But that move failed to deliver a turnaround, including an unsuccessful loan stint at Turkish side Besiktas. By July 2024, he was once again a free agent.



Como were preparing for their first season back in Serie A in over 20 years, with a revamped project led by former Barcelona and Arsenal star <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cesc-fabregas/">Cesc Fabregas</a>, who took over as head coach. The Spanish manager welcomed Alli to train informally with the team before the midfielder officially signed an 18-month contract in January 2025, with an option to extend for another year.



Alli joined Como during the club’s winter training camp in Andalusia, Spain, in hopes of regaining full fitness. There was cautious optimism that the former Premier League standout could inject quality and experience into a young squad. But just months later, that hope appears to have faded.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250802_WST_582230_dele-alli-como-1200x675_12ad75ab.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-582239" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/02173634/dele-alli-como-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/02173634/dele-alli-como-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/02173634/dele-alli-como-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/02173634/dele-alli-como-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/02173634/dele-alli-como-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/02173634/dele-alli-como-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/02173634/dele-alli-como-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/02173634/dele-alli-como.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the arrivals of young midfielders Martin Baturina (€18 million) and Nico Paz from Real Madrid, combined with the emergence of Lucas Da Cunha and Maxence Caqueret, have pushed Alli out of the rotation. Currently, as Como continue their preseason training in Marbella, Alli is working out separately with the group of out-of-favor players.


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After turning 29 in April, Alli had hoped that Como could be the setting for a professional rebirth. But his exclusion from Fabregas’ tactical plans, with one year remaining on his deal, has reportedly led him to consider whether it’s time to step away from the game altogether.



<h2>Just one appearance in Como colors</h2>



After signing with Como in January, expectations were high for Alli to contribute as a veteran leader and creative spark. However, he has featured in just one official match, and it ended in dramatic fashion.



Alli made his Serie A debut on March 15 against AC Milan, coming on in the 81st minute for Da Cunha. It was his first appearance in a competitive match in over two years. But in the 91st minute, he was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on former Chelsea teammate Ruben Loftus-Cheek.



The moment went viral, as England teammate Kyle Walker was seen pleading with the referee not to send Alli off. Despite the show of support, the decision stood. Since serving his suspension, Alli has been named to the bench in seven subsequent matches—but Fabregas has yet to give him another opportunity. Now, with limited chances and increasing competition within the squad, Dele Alli may be facing a difficult but defining decision about the future of his career.

Dele Alli reportedly considering retirement at 29 after falling out of Cesc Fabregas’ plans at Como

Dele Alli reportedly considering retirement at 29 after falling out of Cesc Fabregas’ plans at Como - World Soccer Talk

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Serie A side <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/como/">Como</a> took a significant gamble by signing Dele Alli as a free agent, bringing in the midfielder who hadn’t played a professional match in over two years. However, his long-awaited debut against AC Milan ended in disappointment, as he was sent off despite <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/kyle-walker/">Kyle Walker</a>’s plea to the referee.



Once regarded as one of England’s brightest talents at Tottenham Hotspur, Alli’s career took a downturn due to mental health struggles, leading to a lengthy recovery process that sidelined him from competitive action for nearly two years.



Como head coach Cesc Fabregas handed Alli his return to the pitch in a crucial Serie A Matchday 29 clash against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/milan/">Milan</a>. With the score at 2-1, the Englishman replaced Lucas Da Cunha in the 81st minute in an attempt to help his team find an equalizer. However, his return took a disastrous turn.



In the 89th minute, Milan’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek won possession and surged forward on the counterattack, only to be brought down from behind by Alli. Initially, referee Matteo Marchetti issued a yellow card. But after a VAR review, replays revealed that <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/dele-alli/">Alli</a> had stomped directly on Loftus-Cheek’s ankle, a reckless challenge that led the referee to upgrade the booking to a straight red card.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Even Milan&apos;s Kyle Walker was telling the referee to not go through with it 👀 Just nine minutes after making his first appearance in football after two years out, Como&apos;s Dele Alli sees red ☹️ <a href="https://t.co/7wBx95igoF">pic.twitter.com/7wBx95igoF</a>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1900986463900041255?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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The incident marked a frustrating comeback for Alli, whose last professional appearance had been on February 26, 2023. Adding to the drama, AC Milan defender Kyle Walker—Alli’s former teammate at Tottenham—attempted to intervene, even grabbing the referee’s hand in an effort to change his mind. Walker, well aware of the struggles Alli has faced, tried to plead his case, but Marchetti stood firm on his decision.


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<h2>Fabregas reacts to Alli’s debut</h2>



Fabregas, one of the key figures behind Alli’s signing, included the Englishman in the squad for the first time since his January arrival. Speaking in the post-match press conference, the Spanish coach gave his candid assessment of Alli’s red card:



“When they scored the 2-1, Sergi Roberto was about to come in, but I preferred to give him more time to work. Dele is a player who can score goals. I gave him an opportunity that maybe he didn’t deserve because he arrived just two weeks ago.



“He needs to improve and work harder. It’s a serious mistake considering his experience. A clear red card—he left the team with one man down when we were pushing for the equalizer,” Fabregas added, making it clear that Alli has much to prove in his bid to revive his career.

Dele Alli sent off in Como return after two-year absence despite AC Milan star Walker plea

Dele Alli sent off in Como return after two-year absence despite AC Milan star Walker plea - World Soccer Talk

The closer Dele Alli gets to making a comeback, the more likely it is that Everton will want to re-open negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur over the conditions of the transfer.



Several bonuses and add-ons helped Everton win the bidding war for Tottenham’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/dele-alli-wants-to-be-happy-again-after-everton-move-20220201-CMS-368304.html">Dele Alli</a> in January 2022. One of these provisions specifies that the Toffees are obligated to pay $12 million to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/tottenham-tv-schedule/">Spurs</a> once the player achieves his initial 20 appearances for the club.



Prior to the midfielder’s loan to Besiktas in the 2022-23 season, he made 13 appearances for Everton. Now that he’s recovered from his training setback, he’s back at Goodison Park focusing on getting back in shape.



<h2>What did Sean Dyche say about Dele Alli’s Everton’s contract?</h2>



Everton coach Sean Dyche has now said that the club is contemplating renegotiating the agreement. This is due to financial difficulties and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/premier-league-clubs-have-concerns-over-everton-sale-says-report-20230920-WST-457385.html">continuing talks over the club’s future ownership</a>. He has also mentioned the possibility that Kevin Thelwell, director of football, might talk to Tottenham to find a solution.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">🗣️ "When he is fit and well I am sure Kev will go to Tottenham and say &apos;Right, how can we make this work for everyone&apos;" Sean Dyche has provided an update on Dele Alli, who could set Everton back £10m when he reaches an appearance threshold<a href="https://t.co/h1v9VeOfFY">https://t.co/h1v9VeOfFY</a> <a href="https://t.co/DNjssdo4Uu">pic.twitter.com/DNjssdo4Uu</a>— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/MirrorFootball/status/1705586042424717506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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“[Dele] is not ready [to play] yet, when he is fit and well I am sure Kev will go to Tottenham and say ‘Right, how can we make this work for everyone’. It has never been at that stage so we have to wait for it.



“He was training with us, warming up and doing the drills, and he strikes the ball and is knocked back to square one. It was a real blow to him. He’d had an operation on his groin, they internally stitched it like an anchor inside his body, and one of them popped out having a shot and that was it.



“It was incredibly frustrating because he was feeling great. He is still a bit away yet, nowhere near training with us but is beginning to work with the sports science people”, Dyche informed the media before Everton’s match against Brentford.



<h2>Everton awaiting new American ownership</h2>



Dyche’s remarks follow an <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11671/12965968/everton-takeover-regulatory-process-to-allow-777-partners-to-take-ownership-well-under-way-and-progressing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agreement</a> between Everton owner Farhad Moshiri and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/everton-set-to-be-10th-premier-league-club-owned-by-americans-20230915-WST-456421.html">777 Partners</a> to sell the club. Several international clubs in Europe, South America, and Australia are owned in part by the American investing group.



They are presently attempting to purchase the Toffees. A team who have been going through some rough times both on and off the field. Dyche has been given a skeleton crew to work with due to Everton’s financial woes. As such the team has <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/arsenal-secure-narrow-win-over-stubborn-everton-20230917-WST-456825.html">yet to win a Premier League game this season</a>.



Photo credit: IMAGO / PA Images

Dele deal with Everton up for re-negotiation, boss confirms

Because of financial difficulties, Everton are considering re-negotiating the conditions of Dele Alli's contract

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Dele deal with Everton up for re-negotiation, boss confirms