Dele Alli has revealed he has a World Cup reminder that goes off on his phone at the same time every day.
Since joining Everton two years ago from Tottenham Hotspur, Alli’s career has been hampered by multiple injury problems and a big drop in form.
Last season, he spent time on loan at Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas but failed to make an impact.
Alli is currently recovering from injury and with his Everton contract set to expire at the end of the 23/24 campaign, the 28-year-old spoke about his main goal for the future.
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He said: “I spoke about it in my interview and don't want to go over it too much again – but I know my level as a player and what I can get to.
“I know how good I can be when my head is in the right place and I'm feeling good. Obviously I'm disappointed with the injury right now but I'm excited to get playing.
“It's hard for me to even watch football. It's been tough for me, I'd say, this past eight months has been hard to watch.”
Alli added: “You know you can set reminders on your phone, I have a reminder at 11 o'clock every day that says, ‘World Cup 2026’. That's my aim for now. I think that people will be like, ‘he hasn't played in a year’ but I don't care, I know my level.
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“The only target I have is the World Cup right now. Obviously I'm injured and contracted to Everton and so my mind is just about taking it day by day and making sure my injury is healed and that I'm in the best possible condition after the summer.
“It's annoying because I'll be just fully training as the season ends so it means that I won't have to rush it.”
Despite his contract running out in the summer, Alli is determined to resume his playing career in the Premier League.
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He said: “I'm signed to Everton so I think it'd be disrespectful to say anything else while I'm here. They've been so amazing with me and I don't know if it's off the cards being there next season so I won't talk about any of that because they've been amazing and I don't know the details of the situation but I want to stay in the Premier League and be at the highest level and playing against the best players.
“It's exciting. Some players might panic and think, ‘I’m out of contract in the summer’ but this is a great opportunity to show myself and show what an amazing story it has been and what it's going to continue to be.”
Featured Image Credit: Getty/Sky SportsTopics: Dele Alli, Chelsea, Everton, England, Football World Cup, Premier League
