Molly McCann believes Dele Alli will turn his Everton career around.
The UFC flyweight fighter, who is a massive fan of the Merseyside club, was one of the many people shocked by the midfielder’s recent interview with Gary Neville.
3
Alli revealed all about his heartbreaking childhood, addiction to sleeping tablets, and his subsequent six-week stay at a rehabilitation facility.
“I think it takes a strong human being to speak the truth and live the truth,” McCann told talkSPORT.
“Our club has handled it the right way. No one really knew why he was always doing what he is doing. Like, why was he acting that way?
“I think he just tried to suppress it and bottle it down. You can only push s*** so much before it bursts, and you burst out at the seams.”
‘Meatball’ is glad to see football players and fans rallying around the 27-year-old who she believes can be proud of himself after addressing his issues head-on.
“I haven’t seen anyone give him any s***,” McCann added.
“I’ve just seen everyone rallying around him. In a society where social media is absolutely disgusting, it’s nice to see.
“Obviously, he would’ve been in a bad way yesterday because of the fear of how it would’ve been perceived. I hope he’s able to walk with his chin up, his chest high and he’s owning this s***.”
3
3
McCann, who fights at UFC London on July 22, believes Alli can rediscover his best form after seeing a glimpse of it when he helped save Everton from relegation in May 2022.
“When we beat [Crystal] Palace, I jumped out of the Main Stand, into someone’s box, onto the pitch, and had Dele Alli in a headlock,” she recalled with a chuckle.
“He won us that game. Dominic Calvert Lewin scored the winning goal, but he changed that game when he came on. And he’s got the ability to do that.
“He’s been around the world, he’s played at all big clubs, but I don’t think he’s ever felt anything like he felt on that night. He wants to live [up] to his potential, but I think he’s been comfortable not being at his potential.
“When I lose a fight, all I want to do is to come back and win. All I want to do is have as big a win as I did when I landed that elbow.
“So, I can imagine all he really wants to do is f***ing play to his best.”
