Dele Alli: Two Months After His Red Card Comeback – Where Does He Go From Here?
It’s been almost two months since Dele Alli’s long-awaited return to professional football was dramatically overshadowed by a red card just ten minutes into his debut for Como. For a moment, the world’s eyes were once again on the mercurial English talent—but not for the reasons he had hoped. That fiery challenge on Ruben Loftus-Cheek, which earned him an immediate dismissal after a VAR review, was not just a stain on the match, but a symbolic flare-up of a career that has been as turbulent as it has been tragic.
The noise surrounding that incident has now begun to fade.
And with it comes an opportunity to look deeper—beneath the headlines, beneath the outbursts—and consider the man behind the moments. Once hailed as the future of English football, Dele Alli’s name is now often mentioned among those with the greatest unfulfilled potential in the modern game.
His appearance at the San Siro against AC Milan marked his first professional outing in 748 days. Over two years had passed since he last kicked a competitive ball. Como head coach and former midfield maestro Cesc Fabregas handed him a brief cameo, introducing him late in the match as the underdog visitors chased a hard-earned point. However, that glimpse of redemption turned sour almost instantly, as Dele’s moment of frustration saw him rake his studs down the back of Loftus-Cheek’s legs—a reckless and unnecessary tackle that left the referee no choice after consulting the pitchside monitor. Despite the desperate appeals from Kyle Walker, his old Tottenham teammate and close friend, the decision stood. Red card.
Comeback cut short.
Life at Como Since the Incident
That game ended in a narrow 2-1 defeat, but since then, Como have recovered admirably. The Lombardy-based side have gone unbeaten in their six games following that loss, climbing to a secure mid-table position in Serie A. Interestingly, they’ve managed this resurgence without any input from Dele. He has yet to make a second appearance and has remained glued to the bench—an unused substitute in every match since.
Fabregas, ever the professional, didn’t mince his words when asked about Alli’s situation. Speaking to the press recently, as reported by the Daily Mail, he outlined what’s expected of every player in the squad, regardless of their name or past achievements:
“I pick players who earn their place in training. Dele needs to keep working. He had his chance in Milan, but unfortunately, it ended in a red card and an injury. When the right time comes, it will come. Right now, others have trained better, like Douvikas, and that’s who we go with. Everyone is available apart from Sergi Roberto and Dossena.”
For Dele, this isn’t just about winning back a place in the team—it’s about slowly rebuilding his career and mental well-being, one day at a time. At 29, he’s no longer the teenage sensation who lit up White Hart Lane, but he’s still young enough to write a meaningful final chapter.
A Different Kind of Pressure
Unlike his turbulent spells at Everton and Besiktas, where expectations were immense and patience was in short supply, the environment at Como offers something much-needed: breathing space. The expectations are modest. The media glare is minimal. The focus is on personal development over instant results. It’s an atmosphere that could serve as fertile ground for Dele’s emotional and psychological recovery.
Even so, the pressure isn’t entirely gone. It now comes from within. The midfielder recently revealed to Sky Sports that he still harbors dreams of playing for England at the 2026 World Cup. Despite not having played regular top-flight football in years, his self-belief hasn’t wavered.
“I’ve got a reminder on my phone every day at 11 a.m. that says: ‘World Cup 2026.’ People will laugh and say I haven’t played in a year, but that’s still my goal. I know what I’m capable of.”
These words aren’t just the empty dreams of a fallen star—they are the affirmations of a man fighting for something more than just a return to the pitch. He’s fighting for a purpose, for redemption, and for peace.
Finding Joy Again in Como
Off the pitch, Dele has spoken warmly about his new life in Italy. The serenity of Como, nestled between lakes and mountains, offers him a welcome contrast to the chaos of his previous surroundings. It’s a place of beauty and healing—a far cry from the scrutiny and pressure he faced in England and Turkey.
“When I saw the lake for the first time? Breathtaking,” he told the club’s website shortly after joining. “It’s one of the most unique and beautiful places I’ve seen. I’m loving it here. Some days are tougher than others, but the people around me have made the transition easier. My teammates have been great, and everyone at the club has been welcoming.”
From Euro 2016 Hope to Redemption Story
It’s hard to believe that nearly a decade ago, Dele was England’s brightest young hope. In the run-up to Euro 2016, he had just come off a breakout season with Tottenham, scoring over ten goals in his debut Premier League campaign after arriving from MK Dons. The following season, he hit new heights—22 goals in 50 games—as he formed a fearsome partnership with Harry Kane under Mauricio Pochettino. Spurs finished second in the Premier League, their best result since 1963, and Alli seemed destined for greatness.
But after Pochettino’s departure, things unraveled quickly. Struggles with form, failed transfers, injuries, and deeper personal issues began to surface. In a candid interview in 2023, Alli revealed he had been sexually abused as a child—a trauma that haunted his adult life and contributed to spiraling mental health issues. He turned to sleeping pills and alcohol to cope, losing control of a career once filled with promise.
He entered rehab two years ago. Since then, he’s taken small, steady steps to rebuild his life. Signing for Como at the start of 2025 marked a symbolic and literal fresh start.
What Lies Ahead?
Whether Dele Alli can return to his best is still an open question. The talent never truly disappeared—it simply got buried under the weight of expectation, trauma, and poor circumstances. His dream of donning the Three Lions jersey once more might seem far-fetched to some, but for those who’ve followed his journey closely, there’s a desire to see him succeed—not just as a footballer, but as a person.
There’s something universally human in wanting to see someone rise after falling so hard. Dele’s story, with all its twists, regrets, and glimmers of hope, is one that resonates far beyond football. And as he trains quietly in Como, away from the headlines, there’s still time—maybe not to rewrite history, but to shape a better ending.
