Dele Alli has been urged to accept a spell in the Championship to revive his career, if new club Everton are relegated this season.
Former Tottenham and England striker Darren Bent has been surprised that the switch from north London to Goodison Park has not yet benefited the midfielder’s form.
After joining the Toffees’ Premier League survival fight, on an initial free transfer which could eventually cost £30m, Dele has only played six times and was an unused substituted in the recent league win over Newcastle.
That left Everton three points clear of the drop with two games in hand, but a tough run-in may yet lead to relegation - a challenge which Bent would want Dele to accept.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he stated: “I thought going to Everton with fresh surroundings would kind of kick him back into life. Completely different circumstances and different manager.
“It just hasn’t happened. What might need to happen and there’s no guarantees, and it’s a knock on his pride - but at the end of the day he’s not playing well - is maybe he needs to go down a division to the Championship and completely rip it up.
“If Everton were to go down, then he could absolutely rip it up as you’d expect him to be the best player in that division, get a bit of confidence and then maybe come back up.
“At the moment he can’t seem to get himself going. If they go down, what Premier League club would buy him?”
