‘He was a disaster’ – Harry Redknapp admits recommending Dele Alli to nephew Frank Lampard at Everton and says Tottenham exit ‘backfired badly’

Harry Redknapp called Dele Alli's time at Everton as 'a disaster' after admitting he convinced manager Frank Lampard to sign him.

The former England international has seen his career take a significant nose dive after once being regarded as one of the best midfielders of his age group.

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During his pomp, he was a handful for any defender and formed a lethal partnership with Harry Kane.

That led him to score 57 goals and rack up 37 assists in the top flight, while also winning 37 caps for England and playing a key role in the Three Lions' journey to the World Cup semi-finals back in 2018.

However since then, the 26-year-old has seemingly lost his way.

Alli lost his form and his focus, leading him to drop down the pecking order at Spurs, before landing a fresh start with Everton in January this year, a move that ex-Tottenham boss Redknapp believes was doomed from the start.

Speaking on Kick Off on talkSPORT in September, Redknapp said: "I called Frank and said, ‘take the chance on Dele Alli. He’s got fantastic ability and you can get him going’.

“Going to a big club like Everton could give him a big lift and Frank said he was down the road already and I said, ‘brilliant, I think he’ll be great for you’.

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“He was a disaster, a disaster. I watched him play and he loses the ball, he walks and doesn’t run, I don’t know what’s happened to him.

“He’s gone to Turkey, where is his career going?

“He turned up to sign for Everton in a Rolls Royce into a working class, council area surrounded by old houses painted blue and white where people live for their football.

“He turned up in a Rolls Royce, who does he think he is?”

Unfortunately, Redknapp believes that Alli is running out of options after once being among the top players in the game.

He said: "I’ve had more arguments and stuck up for him more than anyone but Frank took a gamble on him and it backfired badly and now he’s shipped off to Turkey."

It started well for him, but now his new boss, Senol Gunes, is also hoping to see more.

“I couldn’t affect the players,” he said. “Now I can easily touch them, but we haven’t touched Dele Alli yet.

“Let’s not discuss Dele Alli as a player, but he is below expectations in terms of efficiency.”