Dele Alli is reportedly considering retirement from professional football after being excluded from the pre-season plans at Serie A club Como.
Once hailed as one of Europe’s most exciting midfielders, Alli’s career has been plagued by injuries and personal challenges in recent years. Since departing Tottenham Hotspur in 2022, where he enjoyed his best years and became a key figure for both club and country, Alli has struggled to find his form.
After unconvincing spells at Everton and Turkish side Besiktas, he was offered a fresh start in January with Italian side Como, signing an 18-month contract. The move was seen as an opportunity to revive his once-promising career under the guidance of Cesc Fabregas, now head coach at the club. However, his time in Italy has been anything but smooth.
Alli made his long-awaited debut in March in a high-profile clash against AC Milan at the San Siro. It was his first competitive appearance in over two years, but the occasion turned sour quickly when he was sent off just nine minutes into the match for a reckless tackle. Following the red card and another injury setback, he did not feature again for the remainder of the season, despite returning to training.
As the team began pre-season preparations in Marbella, Alli was notably absent, left behind to train with other out-of-favour players. Reports indicate that the midfielder is now seriously contemplating bringing his playing career to an end, despite having a year left on his contract.
Como have been active in the transfer market, particularly in midfield, signing Martin Baturina, Maximo Perrone, and Luca Mazzitelli. These additions have pushed Alli further down the pecking order, signalling a lack of faith in his ability to contribute to the club’s Serie A campaign.
Throughout his career, Alli has scored 67 goals in 269 appearances for Tottenham and earned 37 caps for England, including a strong showing at the 2018 World Cup. However, off-field struggles, including injuries, addiction issues, and a difficult upbringing, have taken a toll on his consistency and mental well-being.
As he weighs the decision to potentially retire at just 29, it remains to be seen whether Alli will seek one final chapter in his playing career or begin a new path beyond football.
