REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo
It’s hard to believe that Dele Alli is only 30 years old.
It feels like a lifetime ago that he was on the verge of becoming English football’s next superstar.
Dele was magnificent during his first few seasons at Tottenham after catching the eye with MK Dons in League One.
He scored 10 goals in 46 games for Spurs during the 2015-16 campaign before taking his game to impressive new levels the season after that, netting 22 goals in 50 appearances in the process.
The attacking midfielder hit double figures again the following season (14 goals in 50 appearances) before the numbers began to dwindle.
jose mourinho dele alli
Back in January 2017, Dele was being strongly linked with a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho revealed Sir Alex Ferguson wanted him to bring the England international to Manchester United.
"Sir Alex Ferguson gave me only one bit of advice in two and a half years: Buy Dele Alli,” Mourinho said. “’That guy, with that mentality, the way he plays, the aggression he has in mind. This guy is the Manchester United player. Buy Dele Alli'.
"And he [Ferguson] has an eye for a player. But he [Alli] is not a good trainer, we need to find motivation for the guy."
But despite warnings from the likes of Mourinho, Dele failed to get his career back on track at Tottenham, eventually resulting in a move to Everton, where he only managed to make 13 appearances.
He harboured aspirations of making England’s 2026 World Cup squad, but wasn’t close to being in Thomas Tuchel’s thinking after a stint with Italian outfit Como two seasons ago lasted just one game following a red card after nine minutes.
However, Dele has the full support of the wider football community after bravely opening up to Gary Neville on The Overlap in 2023 about the terrible abuse he suffered as a young child.
15 Best English Footballers Ever Ranked
15 Best English Footballers Ever Ranked
Dele Spotted at League Two Club's Ground
Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Everyone would love to see him back playing again, and there are signs that he could be about to return to professional football following a one-and-a-half-year absence.
Dele shared a clip on TikTok of some of his best goals. The clip also showed him practicing his shooting at Barnet’s training ground.
talkSPORT say there’s currently no indication that Dele will sign for the League Two outfit. It seems he’s using their facilities with a view to a potential return this season.
However, Barnet have enjoyed an excellent start to the season. Dean Brennan’s side currently sit top of the League Two table, having secured 15 points from their opening seven fixtures.
Dele will believe he can play at a much higher level, but his signing would represent a major gamble for any top-flight club.