Reports: Besiktas to sign Dele Alli on loan

Shame it didn’t work out for him but I think he’s truly a broken footballer these days... probably lost all love for the game.

Maybe as some have suggested the Richarlison deal was deflated by a private write-off of sums owed to Spurs and we've since been trying to cut a deal to get rid of him.

Just kidding. But seriously if we offload Alli that would be a smart move based on his wages and potential fee.

Would Spurs want money every time he hits his target number of games, no matter who he's playing for, and would we be liable for that or his host club?

I can't see Besiktas wanting to hand over £10M in a few weeks time, but I sure as hell can't see us paying it if he's not even playing in our shirt.

He is a naturally gifted player who would be head and shoulders above anybody else in this squad if he applied himself.

If he has just fallen out of love with the game, like David Bentley did, then that is one thing; if he has mental health issues that are stopping him from functioning normally, then I sincerely hope he seeks some professional help before he throws it all away.

Waste of a promising career for reasons unknown, but I'd wish him well just on the basis of his Palace cameo. Would they take Rondon, Mina, Gomes and Doucoure as well as a 'job lot'?

Lampard's worst signing. So far!

No, is the answer.

It's yet another attacking option walking out the door anyway.

Moshiri said judge us after the transfer window closes.

Well Farhad mate, I hope you have two or three attacking players lined up to make a difference because it's an old adage that goals win games, we don't score enough then this season we probably go down.

Maybe, he's just lost the drive required in the top-league pro game, but can't walk away from the paycheck.

I always thought that was Delboy's problem.

If it's starts, it may explain why he's only ever used as a sub.

I think he could do very well in Besiktas starting every week and playing off Weghorst. Could be the best thing for all parties.

Why that is, only he knows, and yet even then maybe he doesn't. He's just lost 'it'.

When he comes on he appears like a competition winner. I had hoped a move would have sparked something in him, but alas, not to be.

We need either a creative attacking midfielder, or a box-to-box No 8 in the position he currently resides.

We need better than what he currently offers.

These players are the epitome of bang average, so Dele needs to move on if he ain't better than that.

Another desperate pathetic typical Everton attempt to pull off a 'big name' on deadline day. Get rid and avoid paying £10 million for a player that Frank Lampard is obviously very unsure on.

But you get these weirdoes that suddenly seem amazing for a while then turn to crap like Marcus Stewart, Mark Robins, David Bentley (although he said he didn't like football).

Then again, Daniel Levy is a hard man to bargain with and Alli's agent won't want to let go of his share of the deal.

The terms of the deal with Spurs would make fascinating reading. I can't imagine that Levy would allow us to sell him and make any money before Spurs had been paid. I did wonder if some of our obligations were reduced as part of the Richarlison deal but Levy doesn't operate like that.

If he heads off to Turkey, it would suggest that he sees his career only going one way and he'll spend a few years chasing the money and then retire. If he stays and fights for his place, he does need to improve a lot as he isn't justifying his wages or transfer fee at the moment.

I'd have given him a run in the team. Seems Lampard won't play him cos he's a lazy trainer but, with that logic, a player like Rodney Marsh would have never had a career.

Hopefully we don't buy faded stars with big wages on a downward trajectory again.

Maybe this is why we're interested in Jackson from Villarreal and previously Gibbs-White.

Sad if this happens and Gordon goes too. Very hard to get a completely rebuilt squad playing with any cohesion and togetherness

He has talent but seems apathetic to what is required to be a starter.

He had a great couple of seasons at Spurs but, like Walcott at Arsenal, fell by the wayside.

And he certainly played his part against Palace.

I just hope it turns out to be a permanent deal, anything over £7M would actually turn out to be not bad business – which sounds laughable as I type that.

I am now fully expecting Gordon to go and for us to get Gibbs-White for £25M. He can do what Dele can do as a 10 and what Gordon can do from a wide right position, though he isn't an out-and-out winger.

I also suspect that the signing of Gueye and Gibbs-White would allow us to focus on two strikers. I am still hoping Broja is coming as part of the Gordon deal, at the least on loan but those hoping for Gallagher will be disappointed. Gueye's signing will signal the end of that pursuit.

I would also like us to take a punt on a young Championship striker, Semenyo looks a good prospect though not cheap or perhaps Gyokeres. Ship Rondon out along with other deadwood. If the above were to happen I'd be pretty happy with the craziest window for some significant time. Our fully fit team could look like this with a 5-3-2 set-up:

Pickford

Mina Tarkowski Coady

Patterson Mykolenko

Gibbs-White Gueye Onana

Calvert-Lewin Broja

It is very sad though as this lad has the ability to be in the England team and playing in the World Cup.
He obviously needs games and a coach who believes in him.

When he arrived at Finch Farm, I noticed his clear disappointment on seeing our gym. He probably has a better one at home!

How do you motivate these millionaires? I would love him to realise his potential and get his career back on track but Lampard just hasn't been impressed enough.

I was hoping that he had turned a corner against Palace and would have started him as a false 9 in the first 2 games… but what do I know?

So many contradictions in this window.

We have no money and bring in a cheap full-back. We can't meet the £17½M fee for Cornet but go out and buy McNeil for up to £20M. We have no money so go for an ageing Gana. Oh we found some money down the back of the sofa and spend potentially £35M for another midfielder.

We loan out 4 strikers and sell one but haven't even had firm bids for any replacements.

Linked with Mauphey and Che Adams! And 90% of ToffeeWeb rate Broja.

The whole thing is so random.

In the clips of training, admittedly limited, he looks good. He played okay against Blackpool as well.

I think there is something going on in the background with Dele or it's another Myhre situation where they don't want to pay Spurs.

Guess we will never know.

Just the wrong sort to have hanging around and it was concerning when Frank took him on but. if he gets shut. all is well. Enjoy your retirement in Turkey, Mr Alli.

If Lampard genuinely felt that he could help Dele, and get him playing again with high focus, then it was a gamble worth taking. The reality is that Dele has looked well off the pace, and (save for the Palace cameo) he cannot really contend that he has deserved to be picked as a starter, even with the Calvert-Lewin injury. It is now a question of damage limitation for the club, the manager who bought him, and the player's own reputation.

Besiktas may prove to be his Last Chance Saloon. I hope the loan goes ahead and that he again finds his mojo over there. I feel that fans won't feel too bad towards Dele as long as the club isn't diddled by the Turkish club and they do honest business.

How it's looking, Trev?

I can see him gracing the MLS at some point. A Tosun / Dele combo about to be born, may just work! (In Turkey.)

He never really looked arsed when I saw him play (Palace aside). Bags of talent but the spark's gone. If we can park his £100k/week on someone else, then that's good business.

Was a gamble, didn't work out, cut loose and move on.

Whilst I'd personally love to see Alli given a chance to flourish at Goodison and I do think we'll always owe him gratitude for that second-half performance against Palace, I'm not in training day to day or able to see what level he's at.

If it's clear that it's just not going to work out, then attempting to cut ties early and save a ton of cash (and management/squad focus) feels the best route. We tried something different, it didn't really come off for either party, we move on.

Assuming he's picking up £100 grand a week as rumoured, then why wouldn't he just say "Nah, I'm alright" and carry on gaming online while sitting on the bench at Everton, still able to call himself a Premier League footballer?

This is a real pity, as I thought this was an interesting move with a cleverly constructed deal. Unfortunately, he has always had a reputation as a poor trainer so perhaps not showing enough to get picked.

As others have said, he appears to have lost his love of football. I would quite like him to stay as we are seriously short up front.

As I understand it, we signed him permanently from Spurs with no upfront fee so own the player. Fees are triggered by appearances, with £10 million due when he reaches 20 appearances (he has played 13 times so far). If we loan him with an obligation to buy, our only outlay will have been his wages to date and we will have presumably receive a fee from Besiktas at the end of his loan.

I thought the problem with the Cornet deal was Burnley wanted the £17.5 million up front (I presume they had very much gambled that the clause would never be triggered and he would be with them for a few years and then they'd get a good deal of money).

The fact that we were able to nick Onana from West Ham probably made it even less likely we'd be able to rustle up that amount of readies.

As for Dele Alli, if this is more than a rumour, I wouldn't mind the loan initially; I'm still hopeful he will find his mojo and do great things as an Everton player.

I really can't see us being able to turn a profit on the player and end up paying nothing to Spurs. I suppose they saved on paying his wages and maybe paying some sort of “loyalty” bonus, but it seems unlike Levy to not make something out of every eventuality.

His performances since have confirmed that he simply has no desire to play and only wants the weekly pay cheque.

I don't think I can comment on Dele's performances because he hasn't been given game time that would allow any sharpness to come back.

Giving that option costs Everton £10 million, which could be a waste of money if he doesn't come good.

Not giving that option leaves what could be a real asset in the cold, who then gets back to his best and becomes a £50 million asset somewhere else.

Imagine being in a job and being told: "We don't want you to work well as we may have to pay some more money out." What's the incentive? I'd be heading for the door.

He hasn't looked bad at times, just for whatever reason he can't put it all together and be a starter.

I think Frank has seen enough of Dele Alli in training and in games and feels that he is not good value anymore. Another failed signing in my opinion, but I would hate that talent to go to waste. I sincerely wish Dele well and hope he has a fulfilling footballing career and life going forward.

With Dele also leaving and Andros injured, I don't think Anthony Gordon is going anywhere – even if Chelsea up their bid to £50+ million.

In a good enviroment I was hoping he would come good.

He has been in patches, maybe it is just down to lack of game time.

I'm surprised there's no takers in the Premier League especially the newly promoted clubs won't give him a go? Fulham, Palace or Brentford? There must be some formation he can slot straight into?

He hasn't really been given a chance with only 1 start to his name. So far we haven't paid a penny to Spurs, so maybe it was worth a try.

Would still like to see him get some starts though, there is definitely a player there.

Mourinho told the world 2 years ago that he doesn't apply himself in training and that that mirrors itself in games. Mourinho told him that he'd look back on his career and regret this. Then Lampard said this:

"I hope he has an important role to play," Lampard said of Alli's season ahead. "He had a great impact for a half against Palace and he was very important in terms of turning the game around, but now we're looking for consistency.

"That means in training, getting into the best condition, and showing himself to be able to start games.”

It's not a case of him not being given a run in the team. He hasn't earned one. Good luck to the lad but this move tells you everything you need to know about his career trajectory.

He's been with us for 7 months and managed just one start. Given his talent and how crap our squad is/was, probably isn't difficult to put two and two together. Other managers in the past have said he doesn't train well so it sounds like he just hasn't taken the opportunity.

Ali, dedicated 100%, would sleepwalk into our team. Unfortunately it looks like he's one of those that can't be arsed anymore. Quite a few pros actually just treat the role as any job. Many aren't that passionate about it, just doing what they're good at to get paid. Sounds unfair as most fans would love to be a pro but everyone's different.

I can imagine if you've had nothing but football drilled into you since you were small, you may also not be in love with the game once you're older. You may never have really been in love with the game, just got pushed into it.

Definitely much happier putting that money towards a proper forward rather than for someone to use as a false number 9, although from his performances it is false whatever number/position.

What we're really trying to do is avoid triggering payments to Spurs and avoiding a very substantial wages liability.

I don't think anyone would pay a fee other than nominal.

Disgraceful transfer, one of the many conducted under Kenwright and his diabolical regime.

It is not as simple as dodging the payment outright though. I understand that if the deal is agreed with the Turkish side, Everton will still have to pay Tottenham a significant proportion of the original fee agreed in another sign of Daniel Levy's savvy dealing.

So, how much is 'significant' I wonder? Kenwright done like a kipper yet again.

If Kenwright isn't an agent of the dark side then l don't know what because he sure as fuck doesn't do the best for EFC.

I'd like someone from the club to come forward and explain this shambolic transfer. But then again, I've got more chance winning the lottery.

Of course the chances of our lot taking responsibility for being taken for mugs yet again are slim to none.

It all means we now need more firepower fast. One signing now is definitely not enough.

What the fuck is happening to my club?

Tactics are becoming easy to work out, no tactics equals no players. You would think Everton had been relegated , because anything with star potiential is being attempted to be off lloaded. .

In this day and age the Premier league is so highly competitive players are expected to train as hard as they play to earn and remain in the team and match day squad.

So yes, I think Frank has seen enough of Alli training and in games to say, sorry son, its just not working, your best off elsewhere.

But there's no way Spurs will let us off Scott free. Levy is far too 'smart, tight, relentless' not to want compensation.

Likewise we know Alli is not going to be sold, we are simply trying to reduce our costs to Alli and Spurs.

No major loss. We move on. A goalscoring striker is needed.

How difficult is it to shift a player who's gone off the boil on monster wages? Almost impossible (as we know) mainly cos finding a club dumb enough to take on the fallen idol's wages is almost impossible.

Almost. That's where we stepped in. We agreed to take on Dele's wages of half a million each month. for 30 months, but only on the strict understanding that we couldn't play him.

At Alli's age, he has not peaked and the real flower of the ultimate, midfielder, has regressed.

How and why, who knows, but I think the lad has blown it, in terms of first team value, the values of, adapt, improvise and overcome, never came.

But it's a sad day, if so.

The game of this season beckons, Everton, must beat Forest, win this game, and stay in the survival list, at this stage of the season.

UTFT!

Everton FC.

He has cost us nothing in transfer fees, was involved in all 3 goals against Palace, and we may now even get a transfer fee for him (with Spurs taking 25%) at the end of the loan.

It was a low-cost (only wages paid out), low-risk transfer which obviously hasn't worked out but also hasn't hurt us. Not a ridiculous signing whatsoever.

None of us know all the ins and outs of the Dele Alli deal, or what an onward loan or sale to Besiktas will eventually entail, but I agree with your take. Sadly this site attracts a lot of fans who automatically want to think that every bit of business we do is lacklustre, and any time we come into contact with Daniel Levy that he gets one over on us.

As for Alli moving on – if Lampard has decided that he cannot get Dele into the right shape, form and mindset to be part of his Everton team, then so be it. Best to part ways quickly and end the experiment.

I think Alli could have contributed much more over time, but seemingly the terms of his deal were always going to mean that, if he didn't hit the ground running, then we'd probably aim to offload him come this summer window.

In many ways that meant his time here was always going to be doomed to failure, considering the position we were in last season when we didn't have the luxury of allowing Dele Alli to find the requisite form and fitness. But he's a really smart footballer who I genuinely hope manages to get back to his former glories.

Yeah, if press reports can be believed, we will get £8 million for him of which £2 million goes to Spurs, and his wages to this point have cost us £5 million meaning we actually gained a million.

Been down this road many times with Turkish teams, gladly take them onloan, then try another cheeky another season onloan, unless it is a sale this Summer, we will get shafted big time by the Turks.

They got Tosun on a free transfer, flogged him to Everton, then got him back on a free, not sure if it was the same club, but one of the Turkish teams shafted us over Yobo as well.

Lampard is willing to be a big brother with his arms on your shoulders, but only if you show him that you are willing to go through the walls for him and the team (see Messrs Iwobi & Gordon). Dele cannot have the best of both worlds without doing his fair share.

Since we have paid nothing for him in terms of transfer fee, any paltry sum that we will get for him on a loan or transfer will be a win on the book: On the Profit & Loss statement, we will be able to book a profit; On the Balance Sheet, another income.

That 25% cut to Spurs will be an administration fee that I would be more than happy to pay, if that means we can re-invest Dele's salary in someone else.

I'm really sorry you so much regret that so many of us identify a "lacklustre" attitude to the owner/board's 6-year fuck-up of all those years and this season and those immediately following, but maybe you should pay attention to what the sleazy accountant looking after Usmanov's billions now publicly says on the subject.

To paraphrase, he said "I/we've totally fucked up".

Still, take a stance in favour of the fuckers if that's your take.

They depend on you to continue after all.

At times I have been very critical of how this club has operated over the last 6 years – and beyond.

But it seems to me that the difference between you and I is that my default position is to exhibit caution and wait for information (and ideally clarity) before taking a view, while you just fire off another volley of relentless criticism from your entrenched position with scant consideration for any nuance, fact or possibility that you might just be wrong once in a while.

Sometimes I think I look forward to an up-turn in our fortunes as a football club as much for the silence it might bring to the perennial moaners on this site as for the excitement any success might actually engender.

I'd really like to hear of those events where "information and ideally clarity" from those in charge for the past 30 years have led you to sustain your extraordinary position.

Given that we've won sod all since 1995 but have now "won" the accolade as the fifth biggest-spending club in Europe (to our massive transfer hinderance now and for seasons to come) since Moshiri promised 6 years ago to restore us to Champions League contenders within 3 years, I just have to suppose that you also have doubts about the credibility of convicting those historical characters Shipman, Brady and the like.

Open-mindedness is commendable, unlike gross stupidity.

Don't squabble, lads, – you're two of my favorite posters. I think you're getting caught up in semantics.

Bill bad, Everton good.

Superbly summarized. And I would also add that it was exactly the sort of gamble this club should be taking -- a brilliant talent, still young, whose possible return to form could have had a massive impact on the club's fortunes.

To have taken that gamble and lost nothing (if the reports Kieran cites are true) when it didn't pan out was excellent business indeed.

Reserve judgment until you see the facts not heresay. Try looking at make-do sponsorships, very weak marketing, virtual non-existent vision. League positions in May.

Trophy haul, Scouting the odd gem over two decades. Botched ground moves. Massive and long contracts for average duds.

Employing weak people who question fuck all or better still ex-players who are set up for life until they decide otherwise. Those are a few of my favourite things as the song goes.

However, Eddie's comment way back at 37 is spot on. Swapped the new Tottenham stadium and no doubt a very plush training ground for our equivalent. He looked a bit shell-shocked.

'When he arrived at Finch Farm, I noticed his clear disappointment on seeing our gym. He probably has a better one at home!"

Think he could (should) shine at Besiktas where he'll hopefully start every week playing off Weghorts and demote Cenk Tosun to the bench.

A very talented footballer who, for whatever reason, has seemingly lost his way.

I don't confess any knowledge, but from observations, something was not and continues to not be right.

Mourinho tried the Mourinho approach by hanging him out to dry, which was probably counter-productive.

It seems apparent that Frank Lampard has not felt he is right for starting on a regular basis. I also found it telling that Harry Redknapp spoke out not long after Alli joined us. Redknapp & Lampard. Uncle and Nephew. I'm sure they speak.

A shame really, because if he can re-find his mojo, he's a quality player. His contribution to turning that second half won't be forgotten. Much needed creativity to get us on the front foot.

That's it, these players live in a parallel Universe, which we can only guess at, but never truly understand. It would not surprise me if he refuses to go to Turkey. This media report is too emphatic with the clause that it is with the player to decide now. I bet when Delli Alli arrived at Finch Farm he never dreamed his future would be in Turkey. Have always thought that Spurs are a poser's Club.

This is for me the strangest Transfer Window that Everton if had. A friend who is a Chelsea Supporter with a contact in the Club says that Gordon is expected to sign for Chelsea, with a higher offer and it is thought two players from Chelsea as part of the deal. He names Broja and Gilmore. He has a, high opinion of Gilmore, and Broja would fit in well. He also thinks we would be better without Delli Alli, but he hates Spurs. He finds Everton a strange Club to workout, and look like relegation fodder on the Villa game performance. I said welcome to the Club.

No point in draining the wage bill anymore than we have to for yet another player contributing next to nothing. Goes without saying that it’s a crucial couple of weeks ahead in recruitment for the forward areas.

Brian (92) - Fair criticism of the club across your list. My argument is that we don’t know whether the Dele Alli transfer is something to add or not; maybe it was a sensible and calculated risk that will actually see the club turn a profit, or maybe it is a tangle of knots that we cannot unpick without losing a bundle of cash. Time will tell.

Turned it on when they wanted to – not week-in & week-out. If only football was performance-based pay. He needs someone to get inside his head. Let's move on.

If we had a more potent attack, it might work. Unfortunately there are so few goals in this team right now, it seems like we need defensive structure more than anything, which doesn't so easily accommodate a passenger.

Ultimately this may be as much about Alli not fancying us as the other way around. Who knows.

Whatever the case, his departure leaves a gap. I had hoped he would replace the bite and talent gap left by Richarlison but not to be.

We now need to get someone in who can be a goal threat for us.

Lampard is obviously holding out for Broja and hopefully we get him. He has pace, runs the flanks well and is a big physical presence as a striker too. Still a rough diamond who needs to develop his game and probably won't score large numbers just yet. But certainly looks like someone worth investing in.

Just hope there's a back-up plan if Broja doesn't materialise…

Shame for all concerned.

All we need is for the Turkish club to keep their side of the bargain, not much to ask them to do is it … erm, let's see how it pans out.

In contrast, the fact that he contributed to the 3 goals in that game also said he had the potential.

At the end of the game, there was a clip of him grabbing Gordon and telling him to come for a drink with the rest of the team. So I think he bonded with his team mates.

Make what you want of this all. In all, I feel that the whole deal with Dele and the pay-per-play arrangement and Everton's tight financial arrangements did not work in his favour. In other situation, given his background, he would be straight in the team.

I think he needs a fresh start somewhere else to hopefully recapture his form. I'll never forget that game at Goodison in the Marco Silva days where Tottenham came to Goodison and ripped Everton apart, 6- 2. Alli played a big part in that smashing display.

That's very different to Spurs simply taking a cut of what we sell him for.

Alli gone, is Gordon's head going to be elsewhere? All this talk is surely going to affect him. Will he actually start?

Onana has got to start. Where's Gueye? Looks like Rondon is going to start with McNeil and Gray either side.

The back 5 takes care of itself so who's in midfield, Onana and Iwobi. For all Iwobi's industry, he doesn't really create much. Worrying worrying times.

The windows end is closing, Moshiri, and by god are we gonna judge you! Another week and still no strikers... Criminal.

For whatever reason, it seems he can only produce in short bursts, and now Frank has seen enough. I wish him well in Turkey but it's more likely this is the pattern of continual decline in his career.

Can't understand why a youngster wasn't given a chance.

He is a bit of a wind-up anyway. But Everton can't keep playing the way they are with little forward threat. I would prefer keeping Gordon and Alli, with the addition of at least one finishing striker.

It seems though the striker required is not going to be a direct buy, but part of a deal, which has increasingly become part of Everton's transfer policy.

Maybe we may get a surprise in the last weeks of the transfer window, but anyone coming in will be settling in September and then on break in November.

I don't know the facts, but I think the picture used for this thread tells a story. I know it's all about angles and the moment the picture is captured, but it depicts a young man looking way above his 26 years in my opinion. He's aged about 10 years in the last 3.

I think he's got issues. Some will be sympathetic, others not.

Personally, I'm suspecting yet another whose life has been lived in an enclosed bubble, detached from real life since a young age with the weight of expectation on him from many angles. Some can deal with it. Others can't and break.

I'm not Liberal or Woke or whatever we call it. I'm from a council estate & tenement background mixed in with military principles, including experiences that I keep close and make me reflect on and be grateful for life. And Everton obviously.

So I can be empathetic towards a lot of these young players. Yes, they are privileged, but I think we have to remember that they sacrifice a normal life and have a lot of pressure put on them; sometimes from the age of 10.

And before the Rolls-Royce calls come in. I too raised my monobrow at that. Where were his advisors though? He doesn't know Everton. He probably didn't know where Liverpool is. That's the reality of modern football and sport. They (the players) are owned, not individuals. Well very few of them are anyway.

Hopefully the lad can have better fortune abroad. The talent is there and will come through again. Best wishes to him.

As for this club. Do your homework first before signing players. A player clearly out of form and brought to a club struggling. Really helps a player's confidence, that. Give me strength!!!!

Now whether it was right to do it in front of the camera, I don't know, but Mourinho's sentiments were spot on.

He started by saying to Alli, "I am 56 and I don't know where the time has gone" – something many of us of a certain age can relate to.

He told Alli, "It's not me who should be demanding more from you, you should be demanding that from yourself."

He also said, "If you don't, in years to come, you will regret it." How very true. I, like every Blue, wanted him to succeed and, to be fair, in some games, when he came on, you could still see glimpses of the Alli at his best, but sadly that's all they where is glimpses.

From Everton's point of view, I would prefer a sale as what happens if Besiktas don't get a tune out of him and decide not to pursue the chance to buy? He comes back on his £100,000 plus and you have the same problem as before, but with even less clubs willing to take him.

He started by saying to Alli I am 56 and I don't know where the time as gone something many of us of a certain age can relate to. He told Alli its not me who should be demanding more from you, you should be demanding that from yourself. He also said if you don't in years to come you will regret it, and how very true. I like every Blue wanted him to succeed and to be fair in some games when he came on you could still see glimpses of the Alli at his best, but sadly thats all they where is glimpses. From Evertons point of view I would prefer a sale as what happens if Besiktas don't get a tune out of him and decide not to pursue the chance to buy, he comes back on his £100,000 plus and you have the same problem as before, but with even less clubs willing to take him.

That's why he walked away from Craig Bellamy after 5 minutes of meeting him. Still never forgive him though. Loved and embraced a glass ceiling.

Tough love or arm around the shoulder? Ultimately it comes down to the individual.

I hope he sorts himself out as it would be a shame to waste such talent.

Let's hope he can get back to playing football with a smile on his face.

"Dele Alli has been injured during a robbery at his home in north London. The Tottenham midfielder was held at knifepoint and punched after burglars broke in during the early hours of Wednesday morning.

"The 24-year-old was hit in the face during the terrifying incident but has not sustained serious injuries. Alli has been isolating with his brother and their respective partners.

"Two men broke into the property just after midnight on Wednesday morning and threatened the England international. He sustained a facial injury before the intruders fled."

Every time I see Dele Alli he looks like he's a depressed man, trying not to be depressed. Also, PTSD may be playing a part in his mindset, given the above experience.

It leaves you feeling on the outside of everything that is going on, even if you are supposedly in the middle of it. It's like being at a party but not part of it.

Having experienced the old black dog on too many occasions and also PTSD following what I can only describe as a very frightening experience, it may go some way to explaining his battle with mental demons.

Some days you feel great, then on another, you cannot be arsed – and that's putting it mildly. The sad part is you know you need to do something but for some reason you cannot take that first step.

I wish him well and sincerely hope he finds his mojo and any cloud he lives under, disappears and lets the sun shine again for him.

Also, if we sell Anthony, what will that mean to all our Acadamy players who are pinning thier hopes on one day wearing the shirt?

I can't see Bill being any match for Bholey, this man is one of six billionaires on thier Board and they don't get in that position by being fools.

I'm glad Frank made defence our priority, I would give Onana a roving role, he's got so much talent, he can play anywhere.

If he's got problems, he needs to be in a hospital or similar – not snaffling wages under false pretences.

That's like saying the Army should dismiss PTSD as weakness and get rid of those who can't man up.

Sorry mate, I enjoy your views but have to disagree on this one.

On this basis there would be no such thing as sick time off / pay.

Employers have a duty of care to employees.

Or shall we just put all the perceived lunatics in the asylum which is not far off what you suggest?

But I do think Everton could have done their homework better and Tottenham might have considered the players welfare if there is any substance in the mental health suggestion.

Now if I buy a cheap Ferrari and it's running like a bag of bolts. I will take it to the mechanic and get it fixed as best as I can to get it back up and running.

Other than an arm around the shoulder, what methods do you think Everton have made to get him back on track? Counselling? Sport phycologist? Mental health mentoring, personal trainer?

I think Rondon has had more chances than Alli.

Lampard wants to cut his losses and move on. Just a shame we didn't get anywhere near the player that Alli could be.

Then, as Jack has just posted, the robbery, it's small wonder his mind is scrambled.

I'm sure the staff at our club have tried their best with him but apparently with no success.

I hope he finds it again.

Write the rest of it on a matchbox. Albeit he's one of many and still counting. Over to you, Franky boy

I'll give you that on Moyes. He may have dithered and delayed, but he done his homework.

Apart from Per Krøldrup!!

I hope Everton move more quickly to move him and a few others on and get some new faces in. The forward situation is yet another embarrassment for Everton fans.

I think the manner and detail of the contract that was arranged has complicated matters and sadly we find ourselves not being able to give him the time he needs to mend… and so we push him out the door.

I said to my wife at the time of getting him, we are the one club who can fix him, we do some good work in the community with this area of life, we'll sort this for him and end up with a top, top player again.

We've blown it and sadly let him down. Levy has been greedy in the deal, Everton naive in the deal. The player, simply messed with.

I take the point that we are not a re- hab unit but often a bit of effort can reap great dividends. Not sure we've helped him at all. Sad to see the lad go, he could have been a contender

Something in the persona of that man shows anguish, like a man lost, fallen into despair with no idea how to get out of the pit he is in. It's not skill, it's not Everton, it's Alli.

He needs help of a sports psychologist or similar to find himself and his heart. It's the only thing he knows how to do but he has lost his way.

Turkey isn't the answer, he probably should go to Rangers as Ally McCoist suggested. It gives him a route back at some point whereas Turkey doesn't.

I hope he gets help. I hope he finds his heart again..

I hope a solution can be found that suits the player and the club.

Bigger changing rooms more showers, better looking gym and replacement lockers for the ones Niasse took with him.

Absolutely no comparison. PTSD in the services is a result of mental trauma derivative of the job.

Professional togger at the top level is an unfulfilled dream like virtually no other. Remember he was at Milton Keynes for 8 years, he wasn't a cosseted Premier League starlet untouched by the trials and tribulations mere mortals endure. Surely he learnt something about life working in less illustrious settings.

You've unearthed a remarkable false equivalence there plus is he really our player? It sounds more like a tenuous agreement whereby Spurs said "Give him a try, Frank" with their fingers crossed behind their back.

But I repeat, we are not a rehab centre.

PTSD as we recognise it now comes in many guises across many elements of society. So I personally wouldn't dismiss it. I was trained to recognise it to make sure we spotted the early signs in lads coming back from places like Afghanistan. Catch it early and make sure they can readjust.

I know that sounds extreme, but I can relate to it. I have my own demons that I live with, so it shouldn't be dismissed.

In any walk of life, people experience difficulties. I've been called a Tory on here previously, now I'm going all Liberal.

I think this player needs help. Personally as well as professionally.

I spent enough time in my Army days helping people who came from tough backgrounds come to terms with their past and face the future. Turn them around, make them look forward and realise their potential.

It happened to me. When I joined, I came from a broken home and was technically of no fixed abode when I look back, even though I didn't realise it at the time. I had to give my Uncle's address as we didn't have a home.

We're really struggling in the goals department. If they played the majority of games in a season you could expect:

Calvert-Lewin 15
Gordon 6
Gray 5
McNeil 3
Iwobi 3
Onana 3?

A significant lack of goals! Worrying!!!

Looking at our whole squad, there's probably only Onana who I would keep at the moment (just because he's an unknown).

Everyone else in the squad, and I mean everyone, can be sold as far as I am concerned. There is not one person in that squad who screams "keep me".

Can anyone else name a player that, regardless of transfer fee, they would keep?

Just shit or get off the pot please. Enough of these negotiations and silly games. Get it done and move on.

I hate the transfer window extending into the season. Drives me nuts. Every club in Europe has all summer to conduct business. Why in the world do they need an additional four weeks into the season? It just creates flux and chaos.

Dele - I like ya, but if you're out the door make it quick please. And Anthony, do the same kid.

Learn from previous mistakes and get off the wage bill.

I understand the initial signing, worth a punt so long as the club didn't let the 20-game threshold be met.

Move on and look for better solutions. Barkley and Alli were comparable talents 5 years ago. Alli has bombed and not shown the intent at Everton to turn his slump around. If you wouldn't take Barkley back, why would you stick by Alli now?

Too many players have been given passes on what they may achieve. Gomes post injury, Allan, Gbamin, Sigurdsson, Holgate, Keane to name a few. The club need to move on players who don't consistently meet the standard before they become dead weight rather than hoping they suddenly become quality players!

I hesitate to include Calvert-Lewin and Gordon in the same bracket, as their stars are currently in ascendancy, even if at different stages. Brighton have bought well and sold at profit, as have Southampton, Leeds and, deep breath, Liverpool.

"We've blown it and sadly let him down."

Why do you see it that way?

Great post, nobody truly understands mental illness unless they've suffered with it.

Brian Clough would have told him to shake himself up as did Mourhino but he appears to be happy wallowing in the doldrums and not making an effort to grasp the opportunity many would die for.

Personally, I am more concerned that we don't appear to be making any effort to reinforce the squad by Saturday.

Gueye is now becoming a joke and we need at least one goalscorer yesterday. I cant believe it hinges on FFP or Alli and/or Gordon going so FFS Everton lets see some action.

Forest sign Gibbs-White, Wolves get Nunes, Fulham target Maupay...

Everton - big, fat silence.

And we go into another game with no striker worthy of the name and no prospect of scoring a goal. Sigh...

I only really see it that way because my job is Wellbeing, Health in the Workplace, that's the only reason. I help people every day with physical health issues and assist my colleagues who deal with the neurological and mental health aspects affecting the health of staff.

As an employer, you are duty-bound to do what it takes to help your staff. I sense with Everton that we are simply moving the problem on. I am only guessing but I think we have decided that he falls into the "too difficult" box.

I personally feel we've let him down but I don't profess to know the inner workings of EFC as an employer. I can see the top management of the club is a shambolic mess and so I'm making an educated guess that our employee Health and Wellbeing department might be less than professional too.

Don't get me wrong, Mike, it's only my opinion, it's not a fact. I sense we're moving a problem on rather than grasping the nettle and dealing with it. I always try my best to help people overcome disability in the workplace. His mental issues need resolving and, although he has bags of cash stuffed in the glovebox of his Rolls-Royce, I suspect it will simply stay there because he's clueless as to how to resolve things.

These footballers are a sheltered breed and often not the sharpest tools in the box. Only my opinion, though, Mike. I do see the other side too. It cannot all be one-way traffic.

I don't hear any rumours about medicals for a striker happening anytime soon so I'm guessing we'll be starting the 3rd game of this already sorry season without a fit striker in the squad other than Rondon.

Given Lampards reluctance to start Rondon, a 550 formation again beckons. As it didn't work the first two times I guess we'll keep flogging that horse until it does finally work, like a broken clock being right twice a day.

Btw - Richarlison was sold exactly 7 weeks ago today, after knowing he was off several weeks before that. Yet we've spent over £50m on two midfielders in that time and signed a further 3 defenders.

Sometimes football makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

It's not possible to win games if you don't score any goals....no matter how good your defence is.

I know a lot of people who have bettered themselves. It doesn't mean you aren't immune to mental health.

Just as with physical health, I didn't realise it equated to finance.

Having lost both my parents aged 59 and 63 and then having friends experience mental health issues due to military service, it.s a subject close to my heart so you'll have to excuse me. It can't and shouldn't be dismissed old school style.

If we hadn't taken up this loan slot, we could have taken Alli on loan which would have been much more sensible. Not to mention the Josh King fiasco at the end of the previous season.

These three opportunities should have been used to get a sensible backup for Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison. Most clubs have 4 centre-forwards they can rotate and use as back-up. It's the most important position on the field.

I'm really sorry to hear about the troubles you've been through but I am less sympathetic with Dele Alli because I feel he has been given support both at Spurs and Everton and hasn't grasped the opportunity he has been given.

He reminds me of a guy I used to play with who could have played for England (he was that good) but he would fail to show up for training at times and then would show up late for a game knowing he would get a game because he was that good.

A couple of years later, as he made his way down the amateur leagues, he was still staying out all night, shagging birds and indulging himself.

He was never going to get to 20 games to trigger the £10 million payment. We took a chance on him and it's a shame he's finished at 25.

Good luck to him.

In effect, we were indirectly paying part of Digne's wages by taking El Ghazi loan. Odd scenario I know but we didn't really want El Ghazi (I don't think he actually made an appearance) but we were not in a strong negotiating position as we needed to sell Digne.

However, I need to point something out here. You and your colleagues help people who have serious mental, emotional and physical issues. Despite the widespread amateur diagnoses here, I'm not aware of any outward signs that Dele is in such a crisis.

We've not seen or heard of substance abuse issues or domestic violence. He hasn't been busted for drunk driving or violating drug guidelines or punch-ups in pubs. And we haven't heard anything about professional irresponsibility -- he hasn't caused conflicts with coaches or teammates as far as we know, nor has he been absent or late for training or games.

Loss of motivation, or a simple loss of love for the game, is not a mental illness. And the fact that a brief stretch at Everton has not turned him back into a world-class footballer does not, to me, speak of a failure by the club to properly treat a health issue.

However, as you point out, none of us knows what goes on inside a football club -- or a young footballer's brain. It's all speculation and guesswork on our part.

I'm not a psychologist (and guess most here aren't) but since we're all having a go at it...

I see a fragile, placid and gentle soul in Dele. I don't mean this as a negative. We're all as we are, and provided we exhibit no cruelty and harm, then all are equally as valid.

Dele is uneasy around people from everything I've seen, reserved and non-combative. How many professional sportsmen in their 20s would sit across from Mourinho that way and have essentially no response? I don't mean just in the form of arguing. Cameras or not.

It's hard for people like this, moreso in his generation where many, from whatever their base personality, feel obliged to apply a layer of "Internet" strut to their image; loud, brash, "Confident" and the ridiculous, bubbly. Difficult for those of a particular way.

Money and status do nothing to dispel the discomfort. Rather, you are often now placed front and centre of where you least want to be.

It may not be about falling out with football – football likely propped him up, I believe. While it was working well, his natural but totally different "Sports" persona on the field carried him through... and reinforced the rest of him. Once a few troubles rocked that...

I don't think a sports psychologist will do it. He needs that very hard-to-find commodity; a genuine, honest, intelligent and caring friend or family member that has his best interests at heart, and time for him. Someone strong that he respects, that he will trust and listen to. I don't think he has what it takes to cope with it all.

I probably got carried away a little bit, so I apologise for being a drama Queen!

I guess my main point is we sometimes forget that these footballers, although living the life we all dreamed of, have given up the normality we all take for granted, and it affects a lot of them.

From what I can make out, someone has looked at him and his body language and come to a conclusion that he's suffering. Is this an excuse because it hasn't worked out at Everton for him.

The fact is it's been a gamble that has not paid off. I keep hearing he was instrumental in the turnaround against Palace. I was at the game, he done okay, nothing more, nothing less.

For what it's worth, he was going nowhere at Spurs. Soft shite club took a punt on him and it hasn't happened for him because truthfully he hasn't looked fucking interested.

Oh and soft shite club paid him mega bucks for the privilege. Depressed, my arse.

I am purely working off an assumption that he does have issues. I have no proof. I just look at him and he looks somewhat haunted. He sweats easily.

He looks unfit, still, overweight and looks to have aged quickly. If he's just bone idle, has taken to too many Maccy D's and cannot be arsed anymore I'd be surprised.

I think he has some demons but he's not my issue but I wish he was. I still think there is a player in there waiting to come out but I'm on the same page as you, Mike.

I'm just coming from another angle. If he's ill, we've let him down. If he's not and Frank knows that, then he's right to kick his arse out the door.

I agree with that, Mike. Whilst personal troubles are not ultimately Everton's responsibility, I'd like to think that the club might recognize the signs of any personal strife, and at least act as sympathetically as they could within the obvious business constraints.

All opinion from the outside, as ever.

My concern is the catch-up we will have to do, and we aren't winning games or scoring. We only stayed up last season because of the games that were won in August and early Sept, and we had Richarlison.

For a team that every season (always) scores so few goals and last season had a worse goal difference than Burnley, it looks pretty grim. When Calvert-Lewin is available (and fit), goals are not going to be endless, it has to be on his head or inside the 6-yard box.

If he does accept the reported move, which I doubt will help him, it will only let the incompetents of Everton off the hook, as usual.

I am really getting fed up with this transfer window because the club appear to be trying to reorganize an entire squad on a budget. I really can't distinguish this transfer window from what I would expect if Everton had been relegated.

We survived, he isn't committed and we need to move him on.

I'll be there to see it. The strikes won't stop me..

The Northwestern, Goodison Supper Bar and a few watering holes around L4 to meet with friends and family.

I'll take the 3 points back home with me whenever I get there. It might be Sunday morning, but I don't mind.

If it's diminished, it becomes harder, the flame dimms and the joyful fun loses its magic.

That ability to self judge and self motivate changes over time. It may or may not be linked to an adverse scientific or mental health issue, I don't know.

Put simply, after 3 years of average, Alli will probably never be the same. He's still got talent, but it takes more than just skill to be a top professional.

Absolute joke of a club.

The Gordon and Alli stories are a smoke screen to really what is important. No strikers signed!! How Everton fc is the most fortunate club in all the leagues. Our transfer policy of selling our top players and remaining a premiership club since the beginning is pure luck. My fear is our luck may just run out. Promoted teams are catching us up.

Saturday will tell us more.

Now another story has emerged that possibly Everton might not be the mugs I thought they were entertaining the signing of Ali, I hope this story is true but can’t help doubting it.

I doubt Everton will reveal the full extent of this transfer and who was involved in it on Everton’s behalf but I think most fans feel it was a very strange and even a unique one.

When Saturday comes, we all revert to type. 36 hours to go and the 10 year old is coming out in this 50 year old already.

The Manager and DOF are having to deal more with other parties in the Club and don't have full say regarding the player selected. At Everton that is not a good thing and leads to last minutes deals, which can be hit or miss. I would go as far as to say that the Club paying the money is dictating what is available for Everton to selection.

If he still had the desire to pick up the peices of his career, then that Palace game should of shown him there's no better place than goodison. Frank obviously hasn't seen enough day in day out.

Wish him well, but I'd rather pay 2 young lads 50 grand a week to contribute to the team week in week out than give him 100,000 a week.

My stomach turns when you think what we have already paid him!

For that alone, I hope he goes to Besiktas and gets playing time and hopefully rekindle his love for the game.

Cut the amateur psychiatry out lads ffs.

Footballing wise he was close to useless... more limp on the pitch than he was in that video of him with the hooker. Glad if he goes.

Buy a bloody striker.

He was a fine player alongside Kane when he first emerged.

The transfer of McNeil is looking the bigger gamble right now. When Mike G queried in another thread whether he had rhe right quality, I posted we should give him a chance.

We should still do that but, erm Mike, you may have called this right from the off. He has been really poor. Hopefully having a target man in attack will help his game!

Once the transfer window has ended and we have a more settled structure to the team and particularly the forward line he could then show improvement.

The jury is well and truly still out and he has it all to prove. I'd like to see him get some support in trying to achieve that. Still, all that is more with hope than expectation.

Was signing him a fatal mistake? Likely 'No'. Hopefully he finds his way with this transfer. Everton have decided to use the loopholes, in the deal with Spurs, to use what cash is left towards a striker. I hate to think where we will be this season without signing a natural goal scorer. Would prefer 2 of them.

I'm hoping we have got Forest early enough, before their massive spend has allowed them time to fit the various gazillion signings together. They certainly ran with their luck against West Ham last weekend. Let's hope we can have some luck of our own this weekend!

The broader point is one that the way the system is set up, a lot of young players end up having not experienced a normal life. It is no surprise to me that many lose their way.

That impacts a lot of them in my opinion.

At face value, they are living the dream.

For many, the reality is they end up living in a bubble and are bored. They have a lot of money but also a lot of spare time on their hands. It's no wonder many of them turn to drugs, drink or gambling.

After playing for Everton, I always wanted to be a soldier. And I achieved that. But believe me, after being subject to a mortar attack for the first time, almost being shot down in a helicopter and having to watch the remains of young people getting loaded onto a transport aircraft in Union Flag draped wooden boxes for the final journey home shattered my youthful illusions.

Dramatic, but I can relate to how a lot of these young players, living in the media spotlight from a very young age have their own dreams and illusions shattered and struggle with the pressure put on them. Most of them are controlled and dictated to.

I get your stance, I'm just trying to put across a different view. To many, who care's? Not performing? Don't care. Get rid and discard as a loss rather than try and mentor and nurture the talent and get them back on the right foot. Get the next piece of meat in and see if that taste's better. They're paid well right so sacrifice their right as a human being?

Apologies, I get a bit emotive about this type of stuff.

Even if those three players didn't cost us a huge amount of money - and nothing in transfer fees - could we have brought in three different players who would have given us more?

Anyway Dele is the last of those three, and he's off as well now. There can be little doubt that all of them - Dele, El Ghazi, and DVdB - failed to make an impact for us.

These lads playing football at the top level are just that, Lads! Living a life many will dream of. The thing is, each and every one of them are individuals, every one of them are not that long out of school and they are

a) earning megabucks and can afford, basically, whatever they want, with a few weeks wages.

b) Living in a goldfish bowl with virtually no private life and performing to a top level of excellence in the game. Yet have critics, from the Newspaper hounds looking for a story, to us who go the match and express our opinions in every way from chanting their name to booing them. They will all be able to handle this pressure and microscopic critique, differently.

From misguided recruitment to a gamble well worth taking. I'm in the camp that this was (might still be IS) worth taking. I think frank wanted to give the lad a chance and if it worked, we'd have a top class footballer back again.

Someone wrote on here about the robbery with violence to him and his family. On top of anything else going wrong in his life; this could have crippled him mentally.

So, I look at the episode and I think it was well worth taking the step that Frank Lampard took. Well done Frank!

As for Delle, well...he's a Blue,he's played for us, shown flashes of his skill and vision but doesn't seem to have been able to shake of his gremlins. I wish him all the best luck going to get his life back. I hope he gets it back and comes back to Goodison the player he was.

Whatever happens, I wish him well.

Going into the next game, Everton, having two main team players, who could turn a game, the subject of messy transfer speculation isn't a good look to project to potential incoming players. Looks very like a Club that does not know what it is at.

I agree.

Again, you are surmising!

I'm not one for limiting debate but a lot of your posts seem to come back to the British Army.

There is a wide spectrum of opinion on here and that one is best left out.

I agree and welcome the wide range of opinion, but who are you to suggest what should or shouldn't be left out of a discussion?

I don't ever suggest someone shouldn't use life experience to contribute to a discussion. Yourself included as I'm sure that your life experience has a lot to offer.

Ruslan Malinovskyi - he's a midfielder who can play AM / CM and as a second striker. He's 29 and a Ukranian International. His contract is up next summer. For Atalanta he's played 129 matches, scoring 29 goals with 27 assists. Last season he played 40 games, scoring 10 goals with 7 assists. As we need players who can contribute goals from midfield he may well be worth a punt. Not the right age I admit but we might be able to get him for around £12m ish, with him being in the final year of his contract.

FRANK LAMPARD HAD A DREAM TO BUILD A FOOTBALL TEAM, HE HAD NO MONEY SO HE TRIED TO SIGN THE PLAYERS ON LOAN - WITH AN OBLIGATION TO BUY.

I don’t want to judge anyone at the end of this transfer window Farhad, I just want you to realise that you’re fucked, and Evertonians have always deserved better than the Phoney Bastard who you bought “our club” from, and then sell to the people who are currently taking forever over their due-diligence🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

Much broader debate to be had.

It's match weekend. Lampard is giving his press conference and I'm fretting about how I get to Goodison tomorrow. How I get back is an afterthought as long as I get there.

We can do the politics next week.

Tomorrow is about the points. Bring the points home.

I'll just take that one sentence and run with it in tabloid fashion:
Frank Quit Threat. Everton manager Frank Lampard is prepared to rip up his contract in frustration as the club look to cash in on key forward Anthony Gordon.

I'm not one for limiting debate but a lot of your posts seem to come back to the Kevin Sheedy.

There is a wide spectrum of opinion on here and that one is best left out.

There is a wide spectrum of opinion on here and that one is best left out.

I have certain times of day Duncan based on my work pattern. Apologies if I spend too much time. to some people's liking. It only takes a few seconds to post.

You know what, sod 'em all, carry on please.

I may be wrong but didn't we get Alli on a free

Yes we have paid his wages for the last 7 months but wouldn't that be cancelled out by the fee we get from Besiktas?

I didn't want Alli but it doesn't appear to be as big a financial disaster as some of the wasters we have signed in the past.

It reminds me of the old days of Moyes when he'd start the summer saying we would sign five or six good players. Nothing would happen and by this point it would be down to "one or two wee kids on loan"

Not sure the obsession isn't yours mate. You keep touting low budget players from Lancashire clubs who nobody else wants to replace proven premier league players. Your not from that area are you ?

You and your knowledgeable Leeds mate surely don't believe any Evertonian ( Wherever they are from) would accept ten million for Gordon when both Chelsea and Spurs are offering at least four times as much.

We clearly never had the cash to spend £40M on him so were always reluctant to give him a run of games to trigger the first £10M. He would have needed to get his confidence up and match fitness but was never given a chance. It's obvious to me why he never started any games.

Separately, regardless of the rationale:
- save on wages
- better value on transfer deadline day
- waiting for the right player
- Kenwright waiting for his reservation at Scott's

It is hugely negligent to forfeit potentially 9 points without a striker. A striker was the number one priority and here we are - nothing.

We've been linked to every striker going - every one of them either staying put or signing for other clubs. I'm waiting for the links to Brett Angel, Stuart Barlow - heck I'd even take Michel Madar right now (at his current age)!

It's absolutely staggering. I'm sure we are all glued to every media outlet, social media, TW waiting for one crumb of positivity ad nothing. Tumbleweed…

Lampard's a huge fan of his and he let him down, he couldn't break into this Everton team, that's a special type of poor to have that amount of talent and waste it.

Had too much too young, the man is an idiot.

If Dele couldn't take this golden chance, 200 miles away from the previous environment and with Lampard backing him, I think it even further supports that he has some personal troubles he'd rather not have, more than him being the arsehole type.

Same as yourself though, it's just an opinion from the outside. A pity either way.