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Dele Alli’s career is ‘wasting away’ with Turkish club Besiktas, according to Tim Sherwood.
But the former Tottenham manager has also told the Everton loanee there is still time ‘dust himself down and reset’ in his bid to get back to his best.
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Sherwood was sacked from his position as manager at White Hart Lane just nine months before then-18 year old Alli’s arrival from MK Dons in February 2015.
However, he still recognises just how much talent the ex-Spurs starlet had and how he’s failed to live up to his expectations after his quick rise to fame.
“The demise has been so long hasn’t it,” Sherwood told Tuesday’s talkSPORT Breakfast. “He sprung on the scene from MK Dons to come to Tottenham.
“It was after my time. [Mauricio] Pochettino played him in his favourite position, he really affected the side.
“I just don’t know… in internationals he lost his way. I don’t know the boy, but from the outside you almost think, ‘Did he get too much too early?’”
Alli made an instant impact in his first full season in the Premier League, scoring on his second Spurs appearance, and continued to improve under Pochettino to earn himself a regular spot in the side, as well as a call up to the England squad.
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But since the departure of Pochettino, Alli hasn’t been the same, falling out of favour at Tottenham under Jose Mourinho and eventually moving on to Everton in January.
That move backfired and he has now been shipped out on loan to Besiktas following a miserable second half of last season at Goodison, and things aren’t going smoothly there, either.
Trying to figure out the cause of his downfall, Sherwood said: “I’m not sure what he’s like as a professional. I’m not saying he’s good or bad. I haven’t got an opinion on him.
“All I know is he’s such a talent and unfortunately his career is wasting away and it’s a real shame.
“I can say and Ally [McCoist] will back me up, there’s nothing like playing the game, so just enjoy it while you can.
“Hopefully there’s still time for you to pick up your career and run with it until your legs can’t go anymore.”
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Both Sherwood and Breakfast co-host McCoist ended their careers in their late 30s, but Alli’s looks to be grinding to a halt at the age of just 26.
And Sherwood said he’d really want to have a chat with the star to understand if he still had the desire he and McCoist had at his age, or if he’s already begun to give up on his time as a footballer.
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Sherwood said: “I’d love to talk to the boy and see what’s going on [in his mind] because it’s a real shame and there is still time for him. He’s so capable. He has to look in the mirror and really be honest with himself.
“I’m not sure he blames anyone else, obviously sometimes it’s your fault, it can’t be everyone else’s fault all of the time, so sometimes you have to really be honest with yourself, dust yourself down and reset.
“He needs to decide. He’s 26 years of age, he still has a huge chance here, do whatever you’re doing at the club you’re at, all you can do is do your best and hopefully someone will appreciate you and your career will turn around.
“It’s happened before and he won’t be alone out there, but do not let your career just peter out. You might retire rich, but just get the maximum out of your career, that’s what it’s all about.
“Just be the best version of yourself, that’s what I’d be telling him.”
On Tuesday, Alli’s manager at Besiktas explained the Everton loanee was performing ‘below expectations’ – but this isn’t the first time the World Cup 2018 England star has been criticised publicly.
And Sherwood believes that, ultimately, Alli needs someone like Pochettino to come in and talk him back into believing in himself.
“The thing is with Dele, when people criticise him they have no problem doing it in public do they,” he continued.
“Every time you hear about negative vibes, they’re criticising him in public – managers I’m talking about, people who are meant to be on his side.
“They’re always coming out and digging him out. Whether they just want to go public and hope it really shakes the boy into changing, I’m not sure.
“It’s probably not the right move. I think Pochettino was probably the best manager because he treated him like a man.”
He added: “He’s been through a lot of managers and they can’t all be wrong. Come on Dele, there’s still time, hopefully you can turn it around.
“He needs to talk to someone and someone needs to push him on the right track.”
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