Tottenham Hotspur man Eric Dier says he wished he did more to help Dele Alli overcome his mental struggles
Tottenham Hotspur loanee Eric Dier, who recently made the move to Bayern Munich, has opened up about his friendship with Dele Alli and expressed regret over not doing more to support his former teammate during challenging times.
Dier and Alli formed a close bond while playing together at Spurs from 2015 to 2022, particularly shining during Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure at the club. However, Alli’s career took a downturn as he struggled with both form and fitness, eventually moving on to Everton in 2022, where he has yet to find his stride.
In a candid interview with Gary Neville in July 2023, Alli revealed deeply personal struggles, including involvement in drug dealing from a young age and battles with addiction and mental health issues.
Dier expressed disappointment in himself for not being more supportive of Alli during his difficult moments, acknowledging that he may have been too persistent in probing for information, which inadvertently pushed Alli to conceal his struggles. Here is what the centre-back told The Overlap:
“I’m disappointed that I didn’t do more. In many situations that I look back on I wasn’t aware of the full picture and there’s a lot of things. I was that annoying older person, I would always be on his case so he would hide things from me, or tell me something but give just 20% of it. I have a lot of regrets and there were certain times that I wish I did more.”
Chin up, Eric!
Reflecting on their time together, Dier admitted that he wasn’t fully aware of the extent of Alli’s challenges and regrets not taking more proactive steps to offer support and assistance. He acknowledged that there were times when he wished he had done more to help his friend through tough times.
Dier’s admission underscores the complexities of friendships and the importance of empathy and understanding in supporting others through difficult times. It serves as a reminder of the need to be present for friends and loved ones, to listen without judgment, and to offer unconditional support and compassion.
Dier’s experience highlights the significance of learning from past mistakes and growing as a friend and teammate. It is very important to remain attuned to the struggles of others, especially those in your immediate surroundings and actively seek ways to offer meaningful support and assistance, even when it may be challenging or uncomfortable.
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Ultimately, Dier’s reflections on his friendship with Alli speak to the depth of their bond and the genuine care and “old brotherly” concern he holds for his former teammate. It is a testament to the enduring nature of friendship and the importance of standing by those we care about, especially during their darkest moments.
