There was a mixed reaction when Tottenham allowed Dele Alli to join Everton on a permanent basis. Some Spurs fans wanted him to go, others wanted him to stay. But his Everton debut shows Spurs were right to sell.
Dele, 25, has joined Everton on a permanent basis. Although nothing has been paid to Tottenham up front, it has been widely reported Everton could end up paying £40million. £10million will be paid when he plays 20 times.
That will not happen this season, given Dele will only be eligible to play 18 times between now and the summer. He made his debut after 24 minutes on Tuesday night, replacing Demarai Gray against Newcastle United.
The 37-time England midfielder struggled, though. He failed to provide the attacking creativity that Everton have craved so far this season. That is at least, according to his stats, compiled by WhoScored.
Dele stats: Tottenham right to sell to Everton, after Tuesday display
The ex-MK Dons man has been a shadow of the player that starred during his early Tottenham years. Whether he can reproduce that remains to be seen, but on first showing, it is going to take time to replicate that form.
Dele misplaced nine of his 22 passes, completing just 13. He was also dispossessed once, and five of his touches were unsuccessful ones. Overall, a really poor, ineffective display against a confident Newcastle side.
Judging by this showing, Tottenham were right to offload Dele to Everton – despite the player capable of so much more. Frank Lampard will have his work cut out trying to get Dele back to the player he once was.
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