Dele Alli says he was surprised at the reaction to his emotional interview last year as forgotten Everton man gives update on his injury nightmare and reveals how it has helped him grow as a person

Dele Alli has offered an update on his fitness and discussed the reaction to his emotional  interview with Gary Neville last year.

On Monday the 28-year-old made his punditry debut for Sky Sports as part of the broadcaster’s Monday Night Football coverage of Everton’s visit to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea. 

Alli has yet to make an appearance for Sean Dyche’s side this season as the Toffees continue to battle against relegation.

Asked about his ongoing recovery from injury Alli revealed that he is improving but remains unable to play. 

‘I’m doing really well,’ Alli said. ‘Like you said, obviously, it’s been a bit nearly a year now. But I’m feeling good. Obviously injured, which is disappointing. But yeah, I’m doing well.’

Alli’s appearance marked his first media appearance since an emotional interview with Neville on The Overlap last year where he opened up on a series of traumatic experiences he endured during his childhood and revealed he had spent time in rehab due to an addiction to sleeping pills.

The revelations were met with an outpouring of support from across the football world, and the former Tottenham star added it was ‘amazing’ seeing how many people he had helped.

‘I think when I said when I was on that, when I’d done the interview, I said to help one person, that was all,’ he continued. 

‘I needed to do it for my own reasons, obviously. But to help one person that was all I wanted from it, and the reaction I got and the support, you know, it was definitely overwhelming.’

‘But it was amazing to see how many people did help. And yeah, I’m definitely very proud of it. 

After falling out of favour at Tottenham Alli joined Everton in 2022 during Frank Lampard’s time at the club.

In his maiden campaign at Goodison Park he made 11 appearances but injuries have since curtailed further involvement on the pitch outside of a brief loan spell with Besiktas last season.

More to follow.