Glenn Hoddle has criticised Dele Alli for turning up at his unveiling in front of the Everton fans looking like he “just got dragged off the street”.
Alli and fellow new Everton signing Donny van de Beek were shown off to the home crowd at half-time in their 4-1 victory over Premier League rivals Brentford on Saturday.
The 25-year-old joined the Toffees earlier this week in a deadline day move from Tottenham.
Positive stat leaders – (nearly) one per Premier League club
The deal was completed just hours after Frank Lampard was confirmed as the new manager at Goodison Park with the new arrivals transforming the mood at the club after a dismal spell under former manager Rafael Benitez.
Everton have won just one of their last 14 Premier League matches and are 16th in the table, just four points above the relegation zone, with the Toffees hoping Alli can help rejuvenate their fortunes.
But Hoddle doesn’t think he got off to the best start with his choice of attire during his unveiling at Goodison Park.
Hoddle said on BT Sport: “There’s a route back for him if he gets his boots back on and gets his head down. I didn’t like the way he walked out on the pitch with what he was wearing.
“I know Rob [Robbie Savage] wears a few things like that but we had a look at that, he’s got a new club, you should see how he’s dressed…”
Robbie Savage jumped in and said: “I thought he looked sensational to be fair!”
@dele_official and @Donny_beek6 are unveiled to @Everton supporters in attendance at Goodison Park!#FACup #EVEBRE #EFC pic.twitter.com/3SrGbAiWZT
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) February 5, 2022
Hoddle continued: “I thought he’d just got dragged off the street to be honest. If I’m an Everton fan, you’re going to a new club. Put a tracksuit on at least or something.
“He’s got to get his head together. It’s not about Frank Lampard or Everton, he’s got to get back on the horse he’s good at, scoring goals from midfield. If he doesn’t do that, I don’t see anyone getting the best from him.”
Meanwhile, former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson thinks Everton have taken a “gamble” by signing Alli.
“This is a gamble of a signing and if it doesn’t work, Frank Lampard will get some criticism. But if it does work, there will be a lot of Premier League managers out there scratching their heads wondering why they didn’t take the chance,” Merson told Sportskeeda.
“There’s only one Dele Alli – no one else in England plays like him. Everton will reap massive rewards if this works out. I like the confidence from Frank Lampard – he knows he can make Dele Alli a better player.
“This is a signing that ticks all boxes for me. Dele Alli is 26 years old, and this is a real make-or-break situation for him. With Frank Lampard in charge, he could potentially become an absolute Premier League star at Everton and get back to what he was at Spurs.”
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