On Tuesday afternoon as Dele Alli made the journey up to Merseyside to begin a new chapter in his life, he probably got to reminiscing.
That’s only natural. He became a man at Tottenham, particularly over the previous two years where he has suffered countless blows to his pride.
Those unforgettable evenings and weekends when Alli emerged as one of the best young footballers in Europe live long in the memory.
In Lampard, Alli finally has a manager who can help him rediscover what he’s lost at Tottenham
But that’s not his reality right now. Alli’s career has been stuck in a rut for two years and it has taken its toll.
No matter what you may think of Alli, he isn’t a man bursting with confidence.
The Alli stereotype; that he is cocky and brash, is far from accurate. He isn’t fragile but he is someone who craves close relationships.
It was telling on Tuesday that he name checked just one of his Tottenham managers – Mauricio Pochettino – in a farewell message to the club he’s called his home for seven years.
Pochettino understood Alli. He accounted for his tough upbringing and saw Alli for what he is – a gifted footballer who needs a hug from time to time.
It’s perhaps no surprise then that Alli’s Tottenham career started to unravel when Pochettino left in November 2019.
Alli didn’t respond to Jose Mourinho’s school of tough love, Nuno Espirito Santo wasn’t in the building long enough for him to have any sort of influence and Antonio Conte, despite positive early signs, couldn’t revive the midfielder’s Spurs career.
Alli’s confidence has been shattered over the course of the last two seasons at Tottenham
He has not been the same goal-scoring, box-to-box midfielder since Mauricio Pochettino left
So here we are, Alli’s fresh start at Everton. It’s exactly what he needs; there’s an outstanding footballer in the 25-year-old somewhere.
Time will tell, of course. There are no givens, particularly at somewhere like Everton where past glories weigh heavily but the reality is far less elevated. Make no mistake, Alli is walking straight into a relegation battle.
But in Frank Lampard, Alli has a manager who can help him rediscover what he’s lost.
Much like Pochettino, the recently appoint Everton boss values his relationships with players – perhaps more importantly he understands everyone is different and will adjust his approach accordingly. He sees the importance in man-management.
Lampard isn’t a soft touch, absolutely not. Everton’s players will find that out soon enough – but Alli is likely to find his new boss far more nurturing than Mourinho, Nuno or Conte.
For example, Lampard could have demanded Alli make it up to Everton’s Finch Farm training HQ from London in time for Tuesday’s training session.
He struggled with Jose Mourinho’s cold nature and Nuno Espirito Santo didn’t have any impact
Even though the early signs were positive under Antonio Conte, he quickly cast Alli aside
But instead Lampard designated Tuesday as a travelling day for Alli, pencilling in his new signing’s first session for today. It was a small touch, but you’d imagine Alli appreciated it after a whirlwind 72 hours.
It helped that Alli was able to complete his medical and paperwork from London on deadline day.
If he had to travel up to Merseyside, it’s unlikely that the deal would have been completed on time.
Alli was first made aware of Everton’s interest on Saturday, just hours after Lampard was verbally offered the job.
A little over 48 hours later, Alli was an Everton player. Lampard clinched the deal over the weekend with a phone call to Alli.
When Lampard speaks you listen, especially when you’re Alli, who idolised his new boss growing up.
Newcastle, having admitted defeat in their attempts to sign Jesse Lingard from Manchester United, made a last gasp move to steal Alli from under Everton’s nose.
But by that time it was too late. Thankfully it isn’t too late for Alli.
