Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore has urged Dele Alli to consider retiring from professional football if his heart is no longer in the game. The 25-year-old Everton midfielder has struggled for form since his January move from Tottenham, failing to start a single league match under manager Frank Lampard.
Alli, once a key figure for Tottenham and an England international, has seen his career nosedive. After starting the 2019 Champions League final, he has scored only five goals in the last two and a half seasons. Persistent muscle injuries have taken a toll on his confidence and performance.
In his column for The Mirror, Collymore questioned Alli's commitment, writing: 'Dele needs to answer some serious questions for himself. Does he want to play professional football, or is he not cut out for it?' He warned against drifting down the leagues on the back of past reputation, and suggested that if Alli no longer has the appetite, he should consider walking away, much like tennis star Ashleigh Barty did at age 25.
Collymore, a vocal advocate for mental health, also offered to help Alli if he is struggling emotionally. However, he stressed the importance of honesty: 'You can't take 80-100 grand a week winging it around clubs. It would be unfair to do that if he doesn't have the appetite.'
Alli's current contract with Everton runs until 2024, with wages reported at around £100,000 per week. Collymore urged him to listen to Lampard and show greater discipline, but ultimately concluded that if the passion is gone, retirement may be the best option.
