Chelsea’s Pochettino: Dele Alli interview ‘too painful’ to watch
Mauricio Pochettino has revealed he found Dele Alli’s emotional interview discussing his childhood trauma “too painful” to watch and plans to meet his former player when Chelsea’s pre-season tour to the United States is over.
Alli spoke last week for the first time about how he was sexually abused at the age of six and sold drugs aged eight in a traumatic upbringing that eventually led him to enter rehab earlier this summer.
The 27-year-old joined Tottenham in 2015 from Milton Keynes Dons and spent four years thriving under Pochettino before the Argentine coach was sacked as Spurs boss in November 2019.
Alli has struggled to reproduce his best form since Pochettino departed, falling out of favour at Tottenham before joining Everton and spending last season on loan at Turkish side Besiktas.
And speaking exclusively to ESPN, Pochettino said: “Of course, it was really tough for me to see him. I didn’t finish the interview because it was so painful. He knows how we [Pochettino and his coaching staff] love him, how important he is for us as a person.
“Like a player, he was amazing but like a person he has a big, big heart. And of course, we are in contact. After the USA tour I hope to see him in London, to meet him and give him a big hug.
“Always, it is tough when you love a person but they show in an interview like this, it is really, really painful. But he is a strong, unbelievable guy and for sure he will become stronger.”
Chelsea landed in North Carolina on Monday night ahead of the first of five pre-season games in the U.S., Wednesday’s friendly against Wrexham at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill.
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Sean Dyche can wow Everton fans with move for Victor Boniface as transfer news emerges
Everton have reportedly made an approach to sign Union Saint-Gilloise (USG) striker Victor Boniface and the Nigerian could turn out to be a surprise package at Goodison Park..
Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported on 16 July that the Toffees have made an approach to sign the gifted 22-year-old forward and while there is no offer on the table, the player is open to a move.
The 22-year-old Nigerian enjoyed a sensational campaign last term scoring 22 goals and registering 12 assists in all competitions for USG and his former club Bodo/Glimt, having moved to the former in August.
Taking to his Twitter account, Tavolieri wrote: “We are not yet at the stage of formal negotiations but I understand Everton took initial information on the player’s side to glimpse the possibilities of a deal for Victor Boniface.
“There is actually absolutely NO offer for the Nigerian striker on the table of USG even though the player’s open to a move. Interesting transfer to follow this summer.”
It is no secret just how much Everton are in need of attacking reinforcements this summer, with the Toffees really struggling in the final third since losing Brazilian ace Richarlison to Tottenham.
With academy product Ellis Simms joining Coventry City on Friday 7 July, Everton’s desperation for a striker has now considerably grown and given the Toffees’ damning goalscoring exploits last season, finishing as the division’s second-lowest scorers (34 goals), signing a striker will be high on their priority list.
While Boniface may be something of an unknown quantity to some Everton fans and arguably unproven at this level, his record over the past year is something the Toffees have to give consideration to.
The Premier League has been known to spring some surprise gems in the past and Boniface represents the perfect transfer tonic for Everton to exploit this summer, with the Nigerian striker possessing all the attributes to become a household name at Goodison Park.
The 22-year-old is well renowned for his pace, finishing technique, penalty-box instinct, heading abilities, athleticism when battling against defenders, and his terrific movement – attributes which could finally wow Everton fans who have been longing for a consistent goal machine.
Given the England international’s injury record, Dyche would have no qualms targeting a striker of a similar mould who can be reliable and durable across a 38-game season. Boniface is that man.
Across a staggering 55 appearances in all competitions, Boniface bagged an impressive 34 goal involvements and his well-rounded profile and the way he’s excelled in Belgium means he looks ready for a step up to a more fierce league. which is indicated by his rank within the best 13% outside Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for non-penalty goals, assists, progressive carries, and successful take-ons per 90.
The 22-year-old is well renowned for his pace, finishing technique, penalty-box instinct, heading abilities, athleticism when battling against defenders, and his terrific movement – attributes which could finally wow Everton fans who have been longing for a consistent goal machine.
Given the England international’s injury record, Dyche would have no qualms targeting a striker of a similar mould who can be reliable and durable across a 38-game season. Boniface is that man.
Across a staggering 55 appearances in all competitions, Boniface bagged an impressive 34 goal involvements and his well-rounded profile and the way he’s excelled in Belgium means he looks ready for a step up to a more fierce league. which is indicated by his rank within the best 13% outside Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for non-penalty goals, assists, progressive carries, and successful take-ons per 90.
