Dele Alli’s Potential Return to MK Dons: Aiming for Redemption and Promotion

According to Neil Goulding of SportsBoom, MK Dons are eager to bring Dele Alli back for a second stint, as they believe his presence could significantly enhance their chances of promotion in League Two. Currently, the Dons sit sixth in the league table, just three points shy of automatic promotion spots.

Reports indicate that Dele has not abandoned his aspirations of playing at a higher level since departing Como five months ago. He has reportedly attracted interest from four clubs in La Liga; however, the 29-year-old has yet to make a definitive decision regarding his next move.

Dele commenced his football journey at the MK Dons academy in 2012, where he made 88 appearances, scoring 24 goals and playing a pivotal role in their promotion to the Championship in 2015. His subsequent transfer to Tottenham saw him rapidly ascend to stardom, earning back-to-back PFA Young Player of the Year awards during his first two seasons.

On the international front, Dele was a regular starter for England at both Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. However, his career faced a significant downturn following his exit from Spurs in 2022. He struggled with form and fitness during brief tenures at Everton and Besiktas, and his time at Como, facilitated by Cesc Fabregas, was short-lived, featuring only one appearance that ended with a red card.

Former MK Dons manager Roberto Di Matteo, who closely observed Dele’s development as an academy standout, expressed concern over his decline. Following Dele’s departure from Como, Di Matteo remarked to GOAL: “From the outside, it’s difficult to make an assessment. I don’t know what’s going on with him personally. He was at such a high, and somehow something changed in his personal life. It’s just a shame that we have lost one of the young, bright, English talents. I just wish he finds it as soon as possible so he can enjoy his football and life again.”

As he deliberates his future, Dele has been focused on training with the elite coaching service ‘Refined by CP,’ regularly updating fans on his progress via social media. Whether he is willing to drop down to League Two remains uncertain, as does the likelihood of MK Dons making a formal offer.

In April of last year, the former Spurs star confirmed he remained hopeful of an England recall in time for the 2026 World Cup; however, given his current trajectory, it would require a remarkable turnaround to re-enter Thomas Tuchel’s plans, regardless of his next destination.