Dele Alli was one of Tottenham's four first team outgoings in the January transfer window, but their only permanent one. The midfielder was struggling to find a regular spot in Antonio Conte's starting XI and it seemed best for both parties for him to move on.
However, the 25-year-old hasn't yet found much luck at his new club yet and has watched his new side from the bench in the last three games. Dele had featured in every match before that since his arrival, but is yet to play 90 minutes under Frank Lampard.
Ahead of Everton's 3-2 defeat to Burnley on Wednesday, the Toffees boss had explained what the former Tottenham man needed to do, in order to get game time. "Train well, stay focused and show me in training – as all the players have to – that he is ready to play."
READ MORE: Dele Alli's Everton nightmare and the latest message Frank Lampard has sent ex-Tottenham star
One of the reasons Dele moved is likely to be for regular game time, which he is still not getting. Tammy Abraham is a player who, after a number of loan moves, made the permanent transfer from Chelsea to Roma last summer.
In his first season playing in Serie A, the 24-year-old has scored 15 goals and registered three assists in 30 league appearances. Abraham is playing under Jose Mourinho, who has praised the striker's potential and the ex-Chelsea man has encouraged Dele to follow in similar footsteps.
"I feel like people shouldn’t be afraid to move abroad or to move away. They say the Premier League is the best league in the world. Of course, it has got top-quality but don’t knock down different leagues," Abraham admitted on talkSPORT, when asked what Dele should do.
"I recommend players shouldn’t be afraid to move out of their comfort zone. There is a bigger world out there than just England."
The 24-year-old then went on to praise the Italian league he is playing in, where his side are currently fifth and sit five points off the top four. "These leagues aren’t easy.
"Coming to Serie A, I never thought it would be easy. But coming to experience life away is probably the best thing I have done," Abraham explained.
"It has given me the confidence to experience different cultures. The way people engrave football in their skins, especially at Roma. The fans are so passionate."
This admission highlights that the 24-year-old is very much enjoying his new life abroad, seeming to have settled in well to his new lifestyle and playing in a new league. If Abraham was someone Fabio Paratici was going to target, his comments may indicate that the striker won't move back to England as soon as this summer, which he had previously hinted at.
Abraham said: "Of course I grew up in England, I’m a London boy. So maybe one day I’ll be back in the Premier League to make noise there.
"But for me right now it’s about focusing on Rome, on doing the best I can and hopefully winning these guys a trophy which they haven’t done in many years."
Everton are currently one point off the relegation zone so Dele will need to work hard behind closed doors so he can get some game time and try to help the Toffees stay in the Premier League for next season. If not, only time will tell if he takes Abraham's advice and looks to make a fresh start abroad.
Abraham is clearly focused on finishing the season in the strongest possible position with Roma. He is likely to have interest from various clubs during the summer window, with rumours already flying around linking him with various clubs, including Tottenham.
Chelsea do have a buy-back clause in the deal that was made with Roma, which reportedly becomes active in the summer of 2023 for around £67million. However much like the futures of a number of players, it is a case of waiting to see what happens when the window opens.
