According to The Athletic, Marcelo Bielsa is Everton’s number one choice to replace Frank Lampard.
The Argentine is apparently the man that Everton want, and the Toffees hope that the ex-Leeds manager can save their season.
However, it may not just be Everton’s season that Bielsa saves at Goodison Park. He could also save one young man’s career.
We’re talking about Dele Alli.
To say that the England international’s career has gone of the rails would be an understatement. He’s gone from being a two-time PFA Young Player of the Year winner to being loaned out to Turker – the demise has been sharp and it’s been real.
Even in Turkey, Alli is struggling, he was recently subbed off in the first half by Besiktas to boos, and it looks like his career is only heading in one direction.
However, there’s reason to believe that Bielsa could turn things around for him.
Ask yourself this. Under which manager did Dele Alli play his best football? The answer is undoubtedly Mauricio Pochettino.
Pochettino’s style of play suited Alli to a tee, and his man-management style did too. Where did Pochettino learn most of his managerial skills? From Bielsa.
Indeed, the former Spurs boss is a known disciple of Bielsa, and he’s implemented so many of his tactics and strategies in his own managerial career.
Bielsa, much like Pochettino, plays an attacking style that will suit Alli to a tee, and his style of man-management will suit him too.
Just look at what Bielsa did at Leeds. He took a number of players from out of the cold, put his arm around them and made them into stars. The likes of Kalvin Phillips, Mateusz Klich and Stuart Dallas were middling Championship players before working with Bielsa.
If Alli applies himself, his career could be saved, but if he doesn’t put the work in, this could well signal the end of his time as a Premier League footballer.
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