Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge has now dropped a 'very worrying' Everton claim on Dele Alli.

The Lowdown: Out of favour

Alli has largely been out of favour since moving to Goodison Park from Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window, with his 32-minute cameo in the 1-1 draw at home to Leicester City his first appearance for five league games (Transfermarkt).

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The move to Merseyside should have helped reignite his career, but instead he has been linked with a shock move away in the summer just months after joining.

The Latest: Bridge claim

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Bridge has now claimed that Alli's situation at the Toffees is 'very worrying', and questioned why his form has dropped so much from what he was showing at Spurs a few years ago:

“I don’t know the answer anymore, he’s not a kid. It’s very worrying. I couldn’t tell you what’s happened. Everyone has got an opinion as to why he’s not playing well.

‘He’s been clubbing too much, he’s this, he’s that’. Well, some of the best players in the world have a good social life. Something’s happened, or too much too young, and his body can’t do what it used to. One day we might know, or we might never know.”

The Verdict: Patience needed

Alli seems like the kind of player that needs an arm around him, and Frank Lampard could help do that, given he too was an English midfielder.

The Blues should not look to pull the trigger on him straight away, and instead give him next season to find his feet.

There was a sign against the Foxes that Alli was enjoying his football again, as he put in the cross that eventually led to Richarlison's injury-time equaliser, while he also won three of his duels and made two interceptions and one key pass (SofaScore).

Nonetheless, Lampard needs to start easing him back into the team, and hopefully the now 26-year-old can find some form again.

In other news, find out which 'dazzling' defender EFC are now eyeing here!