Dele Alli and Jadon Sancho Face Key Decisions as Free Agents
Dele Alli and Jadon Sancho remain without clubs at the first international break of the 2026-27 campaign, with both former England internationals facing defining decisions over their next moves.
Dele search continues after Como exit
Dele, now 30, has been a free agent since Como released him in September 2025. His spell in Serie A produced only one substitute appearance, while his last competitive match ended in a red card less than 10 minutes after he came on against AC Milan on March 15, 2025.
That outing came under Cesc Fabregas. The former Tottenham and MK Dons midfielder has since been linked with Wrexham, Birmingham City, Swansea City and League Two club Barnet, but none of those moves has materialised.
Once among the game’s most prolific attacking midfielders, Dele now needs a club prepared to offer regular football if he is to rebuild a career that has stalled dramatically.
Sancho weighs options after Villa loan
Sancho is also available after leaving Manchester United without a transfer fee. United paid £73 million ($97m) to sign the winger from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, in the same summer Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford.
The 26-year-old spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Aston Villa and appeared in the 2026 Europa League final, ending his latest campaign with a trophy. Yet he has not secured a permanent destination and is considering a possible move abroad as he looks for a reset.
Key moments in two stalled careers
- Dele rose from MK Dons to become a leading Tottenham goalscoring midfielder.
- His Como stay brought one appearance, culminating in a dismissal against AC Milan in March 2025.
- Como released Dele in September 2025, leaving him without a team.
- Sancho’s Villa loan ended after the 2026 Europa League final, but his United departure has not yet led to a new deal.
Houghton calls for a player-led response
Former Aston Villa midfielder Houghton believes Dele’s situation underlines the danger for talented players whose careers lose momentum. He said Dele’s ability has not simply disappeared, but questioned whether the midfielder’s mentality and support network have been strong enough during difficult periods.
Houghton argued that professional help, trusted friends and psychologists can assist, but said the player must ultimately take responsibility for driving a comeback. He pointed to his own release by West Ham despite scoring 19 reserve-team goals, saying that setback could have ended his career had he not retained belief.
His message to both Dele and Sancho was that they still have time to recover. Houghton said they have sufficient years ahead of them to answer doubters and return to playing at their highest level.
What happens next
- Dele must decide whether to accept a lower-league opportunity or wait for a higher-profile offer.
- Sancho is assessing interest, with a move outside England a potential route back to regular football.
- For both players, the priority is clear: secure a club where minutes are available immediately.
