Dele Alli’s Downfall is ‘Difficult’ to Understand, Admits Manager Who Saw Him Emerge at MK Dons – as Rumoured Wrexham Target is Told to Focus on ‘Enjoying Life’ After Como Debacle

Why Dele Alli’s Downfall is Still ‘Difficult’ to Understand

Few stories in modern football have been as puzzling—and heartbreaking—as that of Dele Alli. Once heralded as one of the brightest young talents in English football, the midfielder who danced through defences in the Premier League and scored for England at a World Cup now finds himself a free agent, released by Italian side Como after just one appearance.

For Roberto Di Matteo, who watched Alli’s early steps at MK Dons, the decline is baffling. He admits it is “difficult” to understand how such a prodigious talent has slipped so far, so fast. His message to Dele is simple, though: find joy again, both in football and in life.

Italian Job Gone Wrong: Released by Como

Dele Alli Como 2024-25

When Alli signed for Como, many thought it was the perfect fresh start. A step outside his comfort zone, in a country known for tactical discipline and slower-paced football, could have provided the breathing space he needed. Instead, his Italian adventure turned into a nightmare.

On debut, he lasted less than 10 minutes before picking up a red card. That was to be his first and only appearance in Italy. By the end of the summer, Como decided to terminate his contract, leaving Alli adrift once again. For a man who once lit up the Champions League with Tottenham Hotspur, the fall was sharp.

One Cameo Since February 2023

It’s been a barren spell for Dele. Since February 2023, when his loan at Besiktas was cut short, he has made just one competitive appearance—the ill-fated cameo for Como. Fitness issues, personal struggles, and a lack of rhythm have combined to push him to the margins of the professional game.

He is now 29 years old. For most footballers, this is the prime of their careers. For Alli, it is a crossroads. Without consistent playing time, he risks being remembered more for his wasted potential than his glorious rise.

Step Back: An EFL Switch on the Cards?

With his reputation tarnished and top-flight clubs unlikely to gamble on him, speculation has grown that Alli could return to the EFL Championship. It would be a step down, but perhaps a necessary one. Dropping back to a competitive but less glamorous level could give him the platform to rebuild, away from the relentless glare of the Premier League and Serie A.

Clubs like Birmingham City, Swansea City, and even Wrexham have been linked with him. None have made an official approach yet, but Alli’s availability has sparked curiosity. The idea of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bringing him to Wrexham, or Tom Brady signing off on him at Birmingham, is the kind of Hollywood subplot that football loves.

Di Matteo Assesses Dele’s Struggles

Dele Alli Ryan Reynolds Luka Modric

Speaking to GOAL in association with BetVictor Online Casino, Di Matteo reflected on Alli’s struggles with a tone of sadness:

“From the outside it’s difficult to make an assessment. I don’t know what’s going on with him personally. He was at such a high and somehow, something changed with him in his personal life. It’s difficult. It’s just a shame that we have lost one of the young, bright English talents.”

For Di Matteo, the challenge for Alli isn’t just about rediscovering his form—it’s about rediscovering himself.

“I don’t know what he needs to climb up the ladder again. It’s difficult. I just wish he finds it as soon as possible so he can enjoy his football, his life again, and have a good time.”

‘Enjoy Life’: A Simple but Powerful Message

It is telling that Di Matteo focuses not on tactics, training methods, or transfers, but on enjoyment. When Alli was at his best, his football was joyous. He played with freedom, flair, and a cheeky confidence that made him both loved and hated in equal measure.

Perhaps the solution is not to chase contracts or headlines but to rediscover why he started playing football in the first place. If Alli can find happiness off the pitch, the performances on it may follow.

Where Next? The Clubs Being Linked With Dele

The rumours will continue to swirl until Alli makes his next move. Wrexham remain the most eye-catching link, with their Hollywood ownership always keen to add glamour to the club’s rise. Reynolds and McElhenney would know the marketing potential of signing a name like Alli, even if the sporting risk is high.

Birmingham City, with Tom Brady as part of their ambitious ownership group, have also been mentioned. Brady is no stranger to sporting comebacks, and the idea of him giving Alli another shot at redemption is intriguing.

Then there is Swansea City, where Luka Modric and Snoop Dogg have recently joined the ownership circle. In football, stranger partnerships have worked.

For Alli, though, it cannot just be about the headlines. It has to be about a club that gives him stability, patience, and the environment to fall in love with the game again.

The Difficult Decline of Dele Alli

It feels surreal to remember that just a few years ago, Alli was starring for Tottenham in the Champions League final. He was an England international with 37 caps and goals in major tournaments. He was compared to legends of the game, tipped for greatness.

What followed was a mixture of injuries, off-field issues, and a loss of focus. Managers like Jose Mourinho publicly challenged him, while others quietly moved him aside. His time at Everton never really took off. Turkey and Italy both ended in disappointment.

For a generation of fans, Alli represented hope: a working-class kid from Milton Keynes who rose to stardom with flair and audacity. His decline has been hard to watch, not just because of what he achieved, but because of what he promised to achieve.

Conclusion: A Career Crossroads

Dele Alli is once again at a crossroads. His career is a riddle wrapped in brilliance and frustration. Roberto Di Matteo may not have all the answers, but his message rings true: Dele needs to find joy again.

Whether that joy comes in the Championship, at a Hollywood-backed club, or in a quieter corner of the footballing world, the next move is critical. Alli still has the talent, but time is running out.

For now, the football world watches and waits. Will this be the end of a story that promised so much, or the beginning of a redemption arc that could inspire fans once again?

One thing is certain: if Dele Alli can rediscover the love of the game, the football world will welcome him back with open arms.