England’s wait for major international glory stretches back decades to the 1966 World Cup, and the wounds from recent tournaments are still fresh.
In Russia in 2018, Gareth Southgate’s young side swept the nation along on a wave of hope, reaching the semi-finals before Croatia broke English hearts with a 2-1 extra-time victory in Moscow.
Four years later in Qatar, it was France who ended the dream in the quarter-finals, Harry Kane’s penalty miss in the dying minutes summing up England’s particular brand of anguish. Two tournaments, two gut-punches, one agonising pattern.
Under Thomas Tuchel, England have pressed on with a clear philosophy and the nerve to stick to it regardless of the backlash.
His squad selections have been among the most controversial in recent memory – Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold all finding themselves on the outside looking in at various points, despite being among the most talented players in the country.
Tuchel’s message has been blunt and consistent throughout. He was not picking the most talented individuals. He was building a team.
It has sparked the kind of furious debate that only England squad selections can generate. Names have been demanded, decisions questioned, and the usual cycle of outrage played out across back pages and phone-ins.
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Every tournament brings the same conversation – who’s in, who’s out, and who deserved better.
But while the argument rages over the current crop, one player who once seemed certain to be central to England’s future has been conspicuous by his absence for years.
Sir Alex Ferguson regrets not managing Dele Alli
At one point, Tottenham youngster Dele Alli looked like England’s next superstar.
A maverick talent who followed an unconventional route to the top, signing for Spurs from MK Dons having never featured in one of the traditional big club academies, Alli was a special talent who got fans off their seats and did it all at his own pace.
And speaking shortly after the midfielder had been dropped from the England set-up in 2021, Sir Alex Fergsuon was asked to name players he wishes he’d managed before retirement.
“Well I think (Harry) Kane… I thought Dele Alli was going to be a top player, I must admit. I don’t know what’s happened there.”
So what has happened there? Alli left Tottenham in January of 2022 having barely featured under then-manager Antonio Conte.
|
Dele Alli – Premier League stats at Tottenham |
Apps |
Goals |
Assists |
|
2015–16 |
33 |
10 |
7 |
|
2016–17 |
37 |
18 |
9 |
|
2017–18 |
36 |
9 |
10 |
|
2018–19 |
25 |
5 |
3 |
|
2019–20 |
25 |
8 |
4 |
|
2020–21 |
15 |
0 |
1 |
|
2021–22 |
10 |
1 |
0 |
|
Total |
181 |
51 |
34 |
A six-month spell at Everton yielded little in the way of success, and he would join Besiktas on loan that summer having failed to provide a goal or assist for the Toffees in 13 appearances.
The Englishman played a further 13 matches in the Turkish top flight, but picked up a hip injury and returned to Everton the following summer, where he would play out his contract in the reserves and on the training pitches.
In January 2025, Alli joined Cesc Fabregas’ FC Como in Serie A on an 18-month deal. He made his return to the pitch two months later, but was sent off almost instantly on debut.
That would be his last appearance for Como, who released the 30 year-old in September, less than half-way into his contract.
Without a club since, Alli remains one of football’s great unanswered questions. A player who, at 21, was outscoring Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes at the same age – and who Sir Alex himself identified as a huge talent – now finds himself without a club as England prepare for a World Cup he should, in another life, have been central to.