Dele Alli's Everton nightmare and the latest message Frank Lampard has sent ex-Tottenham star

Dele Alli will be intent on silencing his critics between now and the end of the season by playing a pivotal role in Everton's quest to maintain their top-flight status. Parting ways with Tottenham at the end of the January transfer window following seven years in N17, the attacking midfielder's switch to Goodison Park has not gone to plan as of yet.

Making six substitute appearances for the Toffees since the start of February, Alli was in the headlines last Sunday due to Frank Lampard's decision not to start with him at West Ham despite Donny van de Beek's injury in the warm-up. Not exactly blessed with midfield options due to a host of injuries and also suspension, Alli remained as one of the Everton substitutes with centre-back Mason Holgate instead coming into midfield.

The ex-MK Dons man remained on the sidelines for the whole game at the London Stadium, with Michael Keane's red card not exactly helping his or Everton's cause in the closing stages. An unused substitute in the previous Premier League game against Newcastle United four days after a very poor 31-minute cameo in the 1-0 defeat against Wolves, all eyes will now be on the Everton team on Wednesday evening to see if he starts in their relegation showdown at Burnley.

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Far from his best over the past few seasons at Tottenham with injuries and a loss of form seeing him lose his previously guaranteed place in the side, a winter exit was seen as a must to get his career back on track but his Spurs woes have unfortunately just continued on Merseyside. Previewing the Burnley game when speaking to the media on Tuesday afternoon at their Finch Farm training base, Alli