Eric Dier has expressed regret over not providing more support to his former teammate Dele Alli during his struggles off the field. In a candid interview, Dele revealed to Neville that he had experienced molestation at a young age and had engaged in smoking and drug-selling during his childhood.

He also discussed his addiction to painkillers, which led him to seek help at a rehab facility whilst on loan at Besiktas. Dier, who played alongside Dele at Spurs, acknowledged that he should have done more to help his friend and expressed his disappointment in himself for not being more aware of the situation.

He also highlighted Dele’s support for him, particularly during his wedding. Dier admitted to being an “annoying older person” and regretted not being more attentive to Dele’s struggles.

Dele shared that he had found himself in a harmful cycle and was relying on harmful substances, causing internal strife despite presenting a happy front. He admitted that seeking help was a challenging decision but one that he ultimately felt was necessary, and he praised the honesty and understanding of those who supported him during his rehab.

Dele’s story serves as a reminder to victims of sexual abuse that it’s never too late to seek help and report their experiences to the authorities.