Kieran Trippier believes Dele Alli's trajectory began to tread downward after Mauricio Pochettino left Tottenham - beginning his rapid decline from grace with him now set to continue training with Everton after being released.
Dele was seen as the future of England and Tottenham's midfield, being linked with moves to both Liverpool and Manchester United while being seen as the 'next Steven Gerrard' after five incredible seasons from 2015 through to 2019. Pochettino was Spurs' head coach for that entire period, before bizarrely being let go after the team's Champions League final loss to the Reds - with Jose Mourinho taking his place.
As seen in Amazon Prime's 'All or Nothing' documentary, Dele and Mourinho had never seen eye-to-eye, with the boss venting his frustrations to him and questioning his drive - before eventually seeing his playing time diminish.
Dele had begun to look like a shell of his former self, joining Everton in the hopes of getting his career back on track in what has proven to be a nightmare stint for the midfielder.
And Trippier revealed just how much Dele enjoyed playing under Pochettino, believing his confidence took a huge knock when he left the club before going on to suffer with other difficulties that he has since opened up on.
Speaking to the Undr The Cosh, podcast, Trippier spoke on Dele's downfall, stating: "Poch was brilliant with Dele to be fair and Dele was flying at Tottenham. It's one of those where I left and went to Atletico Madrid and he was there for two years after. But even during my last season there he was flying, he's a great lad, but Poch was brilliant with him."
Still 28 years old, Dele has agreed to stay with Everton on a non-contract basis as he hopes to continue to train to return to full fitness, with him unlikely to continue his career with the club after failing to make a first-team appearance last season.
Liverpool.com says: It'd be great to see Dele back to his best this season. He's got the potential to be one of the most exciting players in the Premier League and, at 28, is still young enough to get his career back on track.