Dele Alli’s return to professional football took an unfortunate turn as he was sent off just 10 minutes into his debut for Como against AC Milan. After nearly two years without playing a competitive match, the English midfielder’s comeback ended in disappointment with a red card following a VAR review.
Alli, once one of England’s brightest talents, had not played since February 26, 2023, when he last appeared for Beşiktaş in a Turkish Super Lig match. His career had stalled due to injuries and off-field struggles, leading to his absence from professional football. Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas, offered him a fresh start, and fans were eager to see if he could revive his career.
Introduced as a substitute in the 81st minute, Alli barely had time to make an impact before a mistimed challenge on Ruben Loftus-Cheek led to a red card. The referee initially gave a yellow, but VAR intervened and upgraded it to a straight red. Como, who were leading at one point, ended up losing 2-1, making Alli’s return even more bitter. To make matters worse, coach Cesc Fabregas was also sent off for protesting the decision.
This incident adds another setback to Alli’s troubled career. Once a Premier League star, he was a key player for Tottenham and even shined for England in the 2018 World Cup. However, after falling out of favor at Spurs and unsuccessful spells at Everton and Beşiktaş, his career took a downward spiral.
Despite this rough debut, Alli’s story is far from over. Como signed him with the hope that he could rediscover his form, and one red card won’t define his comeback. With the right mindset and fitness, he still has a chance to prove himself and make a meaningful contribution to the team.
Final Thoughts
After almost two years away, Alli’s return to football was far from ideal. However, setbacks are part of the journey, and he still has opportunities to turn things around. Como and Fabregas have shown faith in him, and now it’s up to Alli to show whether he still has the hunger to compete at the highest level.
BY Fakorede King Abdulmajeed
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