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- He is sidelined with a groin issue and no timeline has been put on his return
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Sean Dyche has hailed Dele Alli’s growing influence as a makeshift coach behind the scenes as he gave a candid insight into the Everton midfielder’s quest to relaunch his career.
The one-time England star took the brave decision in July to open up on the traumas that pockmarked his life and the impact it had on his mental health; there was a huge outpouring of support, not least from Everton, for whom he signed in January 2022.
Dele is currently sidelined with a groin issue and Dyche is not putting a timeline on when he will be ready to play in the Premier League again; the 27-year-old is being limited to gym work and treatment and is some distance away from being involved in contact training.
But that isn’t stopping him being a presence on a daily basis at Finch Farm, Everton’s training base.
Dele has made observations to Dyche about how the team has been playing – which the manager has shared with the squad – and he can see similarities with Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham.
Dele Alli opened up on his childhood trauma and impact on his mental health in July
Dele is sidelined with a groin issue and no timeline has been put on his return to action
‘I don’t think he would mind me sharing that there probably was a period when (his career) was drifting for him,’ said Dyche.
‘He had a lot going on. Once that came out, it has allowed him the chance to focus on his football and he has been very involved in terms of absorbing.
‘He can’t get out on the grass with us yet but he is looking at it and he is absorbing what the input from myself and the staff has been.
‘He is clear minded now. It was very difficult what he was going through, of course. We know that. But he is very willing to share, give an opinion.
‘It’s a case of us having a coffee in the canteen. You’ll say: “Hey, Dele, how is it going? What are your thoughts?” He’ll point out little things. “I thought that, I thought this.” It’s just a natural combination where we like players to share a view.’
This might surprise some who would have a perception that Dele would be disengaged if he was unable to be involved but Dyche, whose team have won five of their last eight assignments, gave a glowing endorsement of how in tune he has been.
What’s more, Dyche is enthusiastic about the possibility of being able to call upon a player who, during his peak years, has played in a Champions League final and whose 37 England caps include an appearance in a World Cup semi-final.
‘It’s a nice knock-on effect that you can share something with the group,’ said Dyche. ‘You can say: “I was chatting with Dele the other day and he said this really important thing.” We were clear minded when we were talking about direct football – not just kicking the ball forward.
‘He said it was very similar to when Pochettino first went in at Tottenham. He used to talk about it all the time. He seems to me to be very secure in himself. He’s more than happy to share what he is thinking. These are amazing things he’s experienced. People, sometimes, lose sight of that.
Sean Dyche has hailed Alli’s growing influence as a makeshift coach behind the scenes
