Alli's career as a footballer has been tragic.
Dele Alli's career continues to be one of the most unbelievable falls in modern English football. The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, once a key player for England and considered the future of the Premier League, remains unemployed after leaving Como.
Speaking to talkSPORT , former guard Jordan Buck recalled his encounters with Alli at youth level and admitted he was shocked by the player's talent.
"He's tall and thin, but he glides past opponents with incredible ease. Alli reminds me of Mousa Dembele or Yaya Toure, the type of midfielder who can carry the ball through the defense with strength and agility," Buck said.
According to Buck, Alli isn't the type of player who dribbles beautifully like Eden Hazard or Mohamed Salah. His special quality lies in his ability to drop deep to receive the ball and then single-handedly lead the team in attack from their own half.
That style helped Alli quickly explode onto the scene at Tottenham after his £5 million transfer from MK Dons in 2015. The midfielder, born in 1996, became a new icon for Spurs with his spectacular goals, great performances against Real Madrid, and his crucial role in the England national team.
However, Alli's career plummeted after just a few seasons. He lost his place at Tottenham, disappointed at Everton, and then continued to struggle while on loan at Besiktas.
A glimmer of hope emerged when Alli joined Como under Cesc Fabregas. However, the Italian club decided to terminate the former England star's contract in September after a short and uninspiring stint.
At 30 years old, Alli is now a free agent as memories of an "English prodigy" fade away.
From a star who once dominated the Premier League to a player no team wanted to sign, Dele Alli is clear evidence of the harsh realities of top-level football.