EVERTON fans unveiled a touching banner in support of Dele Alli.
The midfielder was in the crowd at Goodison Park for the first time since his heartbreaking interview.
Dele, 27, bravely opened up to Gary Neville last month on his rehab for a sleeping pill addiction.
He also discussed being sexually abused by his mother’s friend aged six, selling drugs aged eight and considering quitting football entirely.
The 37-cap England international, who spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Besiktas, returned to Everton for pre-season.
And, although he was not involved in the matchday squad for the Toffees’ 1-0 home defeat to Fulham to kickstart the new campaign, Dele took his place in the stands on Merseyside.
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So he would surely have noticed the classy flag.
The banner featured a picture of Dele celebrating for Everton between two club badges.
The message said: “We are with you Dele. Together we are stronger.”
Dele applauded the home fans as he walked along the touchline in his Everton training gear before their Premier League opener.
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Toffees fans also revealed a poster at last week’s pre-season friendly against Sporting Lisbon to show their support for the struggling former Tottenham star.
Dele received widespread support from the football community when he spoke out about his trauma.
Team-mates past and present took to social media with messages praising the two-time PFA Young Player of the Year.
And Everton manager Sean Dyche has also been very accommodating – but insisted fans will need to be patient before he is back on the pitch again in his beloved No20 shirt.
Dyche said: “We are miles away from that [thinking about his role in the squad], he is just getting himself right again.
“He is feeling good and now we will be working with him, on top of that, to make sure the injury is right.
“But it is still going to be a bit of time yet.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
