Dele Alli, who has faced more than 18 months on the sidelines with injury, dropped a positive message on his social media
Dele Alli is continuing his efforts to return to full fitness as he looks to try and open the door for a new Everton contract. The midfielder, who has been using the club’s facilities at Finch Farm since his Blues contract expired in the summer, recently suffered a minor setback in his progress.
But the 28-year-old has now dropped a hint he is back on the training pitches, sharing an image of his dirty boots along with emojis that read “brick by brick”.
Dele has not kicked a ball for Everton since the early weeks of the 2022/23 season, when he featured for Frank Lampard before moving to Turkey on a season-long loan deal with Besiktas. That ended early with the England international suffering an injury in his groin area that required surgery he is yet to return from having been dealt several setbacks.
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While the Blues opted not to extend his contract in the summer, director of football Kevin Thelwell said: “Dele’s contract is coming to an end, but our medical team will continue to support him whilst he completes the intensive rehabilitation programme he is currently undergoing following the operation he had earlier this year.
“Both Sean and I agree it is important we ensure Dele’s rehabilitation is not impacted by his contract situation at such a critical point in his recovery.”
Dele embarked on a private fitness programme across the summer before returning to Finch Farm when pre-season began and travelling with the squad for the training camp in Ireland.
He had made significant progress before being hampered by a recent muscle strain, with Sean Dyche explaining last week: “He’s just making sure he’s right. He’s had a little bit of a slip back with his fitness so he is just in that total recovery period.”
Of the setbacks suffered by a player he has developed a positive relationship with, the Everton boss added: “You work for six or seven months and then you’re out for another seven months, it’s hard. Your body is the tool you need and if it breaks down it is really difficult but you find your way through it… he has had a tough run of it, there is no doubt about that, and on the back of him feeling better about himself.
“To have this period out has been very challenging for him but whenever I see him he seems to be in good spirits. He’s well aware of the situation.”
The Blues are open to exploring a new deal for Dele should he be able to complete a return to full fitness and have reached an agreement with his former club Tottenham Hotspur that would make it less prohibitive to pursue such a move.
Whether Everton and Dele reach that stage remains to be seen, but the player’s Instagram post suggested he is still doing everything he can to make it possible.