Just a few years ago, Dele Alli was being talked about as one of the brightest stars in European football.
Fast forward to now, and the conversation has shifted dramatically — with whispers that the 29-year-old midfielder may be thinking about retiring from the game altogether.
A Promising Comeback in Italy That Didn’t Go as Planned
Back in January, Dele signed an 18-month deal with Como, the newly-promoted Serie A club hoping to make waves in Italy.
There was even an option to extend for a further year — a sign of the faith they had in him.
After a turbulent few years, this move to Como was meant to be a fresh chapter.
A calm environment. A supportive coach in Cesc Fabregas. The perfect reboot.
But things haven’t panned out as anyone hoped.
A Nightmare Debut at the San Siro
After waiting more than two years to return to competitive action, Dele finally made his Serie A debut in March against AC Milan at the legendary San Siro. It should’ve been a special moment.
Instead, it turned into a disaster.
Just nine minutes into the match, Dele was sent off for a reckless challenge on Ruben Loftus-Cheek — a decision made after a VAR review.
The red card sparked fury from Fabregas and effectively brought Dele’s short-lived Italian resurgence to a screeching halt.
Left Out and Training Alone
Since that day, Dele hasn’t featured in Como’s plans.
Even after returning from injury, Fabregas has not reintegrated him into the first team ahead of the 2025–26 season.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Dele has been training away from the main squad, grouped with others who are currently out of favour.
And now, he’s reportedly thinking seriously about retirement.
From Teenage Prodigy to Lost Talent
It’s a gut-punch for fans who remember just how good Dele once was.
He burst onto the scene at MK Dons before Tottenham snapped him up in 2015.
Under Mauricio Pochettino, he thrived — especially during the 2016–17 season, where he scored an incredible 22 goals in all competitions.
He was a key part of Spurs’ Champions League run in 2019 and collected 37 England caps along the way, including appearances in the 2018 World Cup.
At one point, he looked like he’d be the centre of England’s midfield for years.
Injuries, Struggles, and a Career Derailment
Unfortunately, the last few years have been rough. Injuries piled up. His form dipped.
Off-field issues and coaching changes didn’t help either.
His time at Everton barely got going, and a loan move to Turkish side Besiktas in 2022 was cut short by a serious groin injury that left him sidelined for almost a year.
A Candid Conversation About His Past
Last year, Dele opened up in a deeply emotional interview that shocked and moved the football world.
He spoke openly about a traumatic childhood — revealing he had been molested at age six, was exposed to drugs by eight, and later struggled so much with his mental health that he attempted to take his own life.
It was raw. Honest. Painful. And it showed a side of him that many fans never knew.
Como Was Meant to Be a Safe Restart
With all of that behind him, the move to Como had real potential.
Away from the chaos of English football, Dele seemed to find peace.
His training performances early on were promising, and hopes were high that he could build something new under Fabregas’ mentorship.
But that single red card against Milan changed everything. Since then, he’s barely been seen on the pitch.
Will He Play Again?
Dele still has a year left on his contract with Como, but right now, no one knows if he’ll actually play again.
Retirement, once unthinkable for such a talent, now feels like a very real possibility.
A Once-Bright Star Facing an Uncertain Future
It’s a heartbreaking twist for a player who, not so long ago, was one of English football’s most exciting prospects.
Whether he decides to keep fighting or walks away from the game, Dele’s story is already one of the most complicated and emotional tales in modern football.
What comes next? That’s entirely up to him.