Dele Alli needs new club after being told he is not wanted by Como

 Dele Alli is looking for a new club after being told he does not feature in the plans of Como head coach Cesc Fabregas.

Contrary to reports in Italy, the 29-year-old is not considering retiring from the game despite his move to the Serie A club not working out.

Instead Alli wants to carry on playing and is considering his options – including a return to England – as he remains determined to revive his career.

Alli is now training away from the Como first-team squad as they prepare for the new season at pre-season camp in Marbella.

Como have strengthened in the summer with three midfield signings, meaning Alli’s chances have been limited.

He has now been told to leave and it remains to be seen at what level – and where – he tries to revive his career having also spent an unsuccessful loan spell in Turkey with Besiktas, which was also injury-affected.

The former England international joined Como in January on an 18-month contract with the option of a further year, based on appearances, following a successful trial period, having been released by Everton the previous June.

“The club believes in Dele’s potential and is committed to helping him rediscover his best form,” Fabregas said at the time but Alli made only one appearance for Como. Unfortunately, that appearance lasted just nine minutes, due to being sent off on his debut last March. It was his first competitive game for more than two years, and he was shown the red card for a clumsy challenge on AC Milan’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Since then Alli has suffered another injury, fallen out of favour with Fabregas and been informed he will not be part of the first-team squad and can look for another club.

The decision is the latest set-back for the former Tottenham and England midfielder who has struggled in recent seasons having burst on to the scene at MK Dons under manager Karl Robinson before earning a big move to Spurs in 2015, earning 37 England caps.

Alli was regarded as one of the most-talented midfielders in world football and played a key role for Tottenham under Mauricio Pochettino.

Injuries have hit him hard before. In June 2023 he gave a raw and brave interview in which he revealed the traumas he had gone through as a child and how they had affected him.

Alli spoke of how he had been sexually abused aged six and was dealing drugs aged eight. He admitted to drinking alcohol and taking sleeping pills during his career but emphasised his determination to return to playing after receiving support for his off-field problems and spending time in rehab.