‘We’re just trying to get him fit’ – Sean Dyche reveals Everton and Dele Alli’s priority 

Everton manager Sean Dyche says that the team is focused on Dele Alli’s fitness before rushing him back into action. Dele had a tremendously difficult season with injury, having undergone groyne surgery in January and failed to kick a ball this season.

Dele opened up about his mental health issues in a very candid interview with Gary Neville earlier this season, and Dyche confesses that he and Everton simply do not care when he is available again, and are more concerned with seeing him return to fitness.

Speaking before Everton’s clash with West Ham this weekend, Dyche said: “Dele’s focus is just getting fit, nothing other than that. Obviously he’s got a period yet, he’s just focusing on that. Somebody asked me recently and I said we’re trying to just let him get fit. We’re not worried about when he’s available, we’re saying ‘first things first – get fit’ so that’s all we’re looking for him to do and all he’s looking to do.”

Dele, of course, put on some absolutely great displays while breaking through, earning the PFA Young Player of the Year award twice at Tottenham and representing England in the 2018 World Cup. Since joining the Toffees, he has made only 13 appearances.

Dele hopes to kick a ball before the end of the season, although it is uncertain when he will next play for the Toffees. The club is 15th in the Premier League after having their 10-point deduction for breaking profit and sustainability regulations lowered to six points.