Dele Alli 'considers retirement' aged 29 as ex-Tottenham star 'banished from Como squad'

Dele Alli has reportedly been axed from the first-team squad at Como and is considering quitting football for good. In January, the 29-year-old signed an 18-month contract with the Serie A side, managed by Arsenal and Chelsea icon Cesc Fabregas.

However, he managed just one club appearance before the end of the 2024/25 season. That ended disastrously when, in his first professional appearance in two years, he was sent off nine minutes into his debut against AC Milan. Injury problems prevented further games, although he did return to first-team training this summer.

However, he has now reportedly been omitted from Fabregas' first-team plans ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. The blow comes after Alli previously said he believed he could get back to the levels that saw him excel in the Premier League with Tottenham and win 37 England caps.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Alli is now seriously contemplating retirement. He is said to currently be training separately from the senior squad alongside other out-of-favour players, and is considering leaving professional football.

After joining from MK Dons, Alli became a cult hero with Spurs fans, scoring 69 goals in 267 games. However, after seven years with the club, he joined Everton in January 2022, having been frozen out by Antonio Conte.

However, he struggled for form and fitness both at Goodison Park and during a loan spell with Besiktas. During that period, in an interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap podcast, he opened up on his difficult childhood and the traumas he encountered.

After signing him for the Italian side, Fabregas explained that he wanted to help the 2018 World Cup star get back to his previous levels. He also cited Alli's experience as a critical factor in the move.

"The club believes in Dele's potential and is committed to helping him rediscover his best form," said the head coach. "His experience and leadership qualities will undoubtedly benefit the squad."