MICAH RICHARDS: Frank Lampard can help Dele Alli dream of England

‘One man I am prepared to put my neck on the line for is Dele Alli. He is going to be a massive player for Spurs again. I’m not saying he’ll be back in the England side or anything like that but I believe he will show his best form.’

That statement was made by yours truly on the opening day of this season. Dele is a player I’ve always loved to watch and I have great belief in his ability. I won’t try to kid you and say his form since then has been outstanding because, quite obviously, it hasn’t been good enough.

It has been suggested that has lost his love for football and stopped trying but that doesn’t fit with the things I’ve heard. I believe he has worked hard in training and looked to learn from those around him. Joe Hart told me in an interview last summer that his attitude couldn’t be faulted.

Each time I looked at him for Tottenham, however, something was missing. He has only scored two goals this season — with his sole strike in the Premier League, a penalty, coming all the way back on August 22. That is not an accurate indication of his talent.

My hopes that he would get back to the levels I know he can reach were boosted on Monday. Of all the deals that were done in the hours before the transfer window closed, none excited me more than Dele joining Everton. What an opportunity this is — he must grab it with both hands.

There are no excuses now. Frank Lampard has shown a huge amount of faith, offering him a chance at a club with a great pedigree, and he will be such a positive influence. Few were better at scoring from midfield than Everton’s new manager and Dele must learn from him every day.

If he does that, I don’t think his dreams of playing for England again are over. The last time he played for England