Harry Redknapp has revealed that he encouraged Frank Lampard to sign Dele Alli from Tottenham in January but questioned the midfielder’s decision to turn up to his first training sessions in a Rolls Royce.
Alli has struggled to get game time since his move to Goodison Park in January, having started just one game for the Toffees so far (Transfermarkt).
The England international was once again an unused substitute as Lampard’s men picked up a crucial win over Newcastle United on Thursday.
The former Tottenham man has also come under criticism for his antics off the field after he arrived at his first training session at Everton in a £300,000 Rolls Royce (The Daily Star).
Redknapp admitted that he is a big fan of Alli as a player but he questioned why the midfielder’s agent did not advise him against turning up in a Rolls Royce to a working-class area.
The former Tottenham manager told talkSPORT Breakfast: “What’s happened to Dele Alli?
“Whoever his agent [is], whoever he may be, whoever said to him we’re going turn and sign for Everton football club, a proper football club in a working-class area surrounded by terraced houses and people who work and graft… and suddenly he turns up in a Rolls Royce? I can’t have that.
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“I’ve been his biggest fan but, I mean, where’s the brains? Be honest! Before Frank took him, I texted Frank, and said: ‘Listen, Dele Alli, I think if you can get him going, he’s some player’.
“I’ve stuck up for him, I keep saying he’s a fantastic talent, but why’d you go and do that? Turning up in a Rolls Royce like that, it tells you everything about what’s gone wrong for him.
“Listen, I love him, love him. He’s a fantastic talent and I’m desperate to see him get back in that team and get back in the England squad because I think he can really play.
“But people are working all week and saving up to take their kids to football, and they don’t want to see that either. Be humble!”
Redknapp suggested that the former Spurs star was not impressing enough in training to get into Everton’s starting eleven.
When asked if Alli was not working hard enough in training, the 75-year-old responded: “He can’t be can he? I thought he’d go in there and be great. He had such talent, I loved him, I thought he was a superstar, but he can’t get a game.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I have no issues with footballers driving flashy cars but I appreciate what Redknapp is saying about the need to make a good first impression to Everton fans.
Dele’s decision to arrive at training in a Rolls Royce might have been his sharpest moment but I do not think it is entirely fair on the 25-year-old to keep talking about that as the reason behind his struggles at Everton.
I also think that the reputation that Dele has for being lazy is unfair. The midfielder always worked his socks off whenever he got an opportunity for Tottenham.
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