Dele Alli has been given the perfect early Christmas present – a route back into professional football with Italian club Como.
The 27-year-old has struggled with fitness issues and is currently a free agent following his release from Everton in the summer.
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Alli has not played in a competitive game since February 2023 after suffering a groin injury while playing for Turkish club Besiktas.
But he was allowed to use the training facility at Toffees’ Finch Farm to build up his fitness for a possible comeback in the new year.
And he could now team up with Serie A newcomers Como as they look to overcome relegation in their first season in 21 years in Italy’s top flight.
Under the management of former Arsenal and Chelsea icon Cesc Fabregas, the Spanish World Cup winner offers Alli the chance to showcase his qualities.
The former Tottenham midfielder was in the stands at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia to watch Como beat Roma 2-0 thanks to second-half stoppage-time goals from Alessandro Gabrielloni and Nico Paz.
And Fabregas commented on the 37-time England international in his post-match conference after leading Como to their first win since September.
He said of the player: “I met him yesterday.”
“I don’t want to talk about it much, but maybe there’s a chance he’ll start training with us after Christmas.”
“Let’s see. It would help him get in shape and nothing more.”
“Right now we have to enjoy this evening. We have to talk about Como, Gabrielloni and the boys. That’s the most important thing.”
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Alli is determined to get back to playing and it looks like he is, according to training footage he shared on social media.
Such is his desire to get back on the pitch that the MK Dons Academy graduate revealed in April that he has a daily reminder on his phone which speaks volumes about his ambitions.
Appearing on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, he said: “I know how good I can be when my head is in the right place and I’m feeling good.
“Of course I’m disappointed about the injury at the moment, but I’m looking forward to starting playing.”
“It’s hard for me to even watch football. I would say it’s been tough for me, the last eight months have been tough to watch.”
When asked if he wants to get back to the level he was at before, Alli replied: “I hope so.
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“You know you can set reminders on your phone. I have a reminder every day at 11 a.m. that says “World Cup 2026.” That’s my goal for now.
“I think people will say: ‘He hasn’t played in a year’ but I don’t care, I know my level.
“The only goal I have at the moment is the World Cup.”