Everton flop Dele Alli performing ‘below expectations’ during loan spell, says Besiktas boss

Besiktas head coach Senol Gunes has said Everton midfielder Dele Alli is performing “below expectations” for his loan club.

Dele broke on the scene after joining Tottenham Hotspur from MK Dons in 2015.

The 26-year-old was named PFA Young Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017 and looked like he had a huge future ahead of him.

In October 2015, Roy Hodgson handed Dele his England debut at the age of 19 after making two appearances under Gareth Southgate for the under-21s.

He quickly established himself as a key player for the Three Lions, starting three of their four games at Euro 2016.

After disappointment in that tournament, Hodgson was replaced by Southgate, who continued to pick Dele until he turned into a poor footballer overnight.

His last appearance for his country came in September 2019 when England beat Switzerland on penalties in the Nations League Finals third-place play off.

Dele’s club form started to dip in 2018-19 but a return of eight goals in 25 Premier League matches the following season was not seen as alarming.

When the Premier League season resumed following the Covid-19 break in 2020, Dele did not look his normal self, only playing three times between then and the end of the season.

A month before the resumption of the campaign, the former Tottenham midfielder was held at knifepoint during a burglary. He was punched and suffered minor facial injuries as burglars stole jewellery.

This may have affected his performances on the pitch, but it is not really documented when discussing his downfall.

With his Spurs future uncertain, Dele was given a fresh start with Everton in the January transfer window.

That did not work out, however.

Dele joined on a free transfer, which could rise to £30million based on appearances and his performances on the pitch.

It would not be surprising if Spurs fail to get a single penny from the Toffees with his Premier League future looking like it is numbered.

It was time for another fresh start this summer, with Dele sent on loan to Turkish giants Besiktas.

Dele has one goal in seven league appearances for Besiktas and has now come under criticism from his manager.

Hauled off at half-time against Umraniyespor on Sunday, Senol Gunes said Dele is performing “below expectations in terms of efficiency”.

Speaking ahead of Besiktas’ huge match against Galatasaray, Gunes said: “I couldn’t affect the players [yet], now I can easily get through to them, but we haven’t got through to Dele Alli yet.

“Let’s not discuss Dele Alli as a player, but he is below expectations in terms of efficiency.”

The Everton loanee has started seven out of seven games for Besiktas since joining them on August 25.

He is yet to play the full 90 minutes of a match, however, averaging 65 minutes on the pitch this term.

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His minutes are gradually declining after being substituted at half-time on Sunday, with his place in the starting XI under threat.

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