Cesc Fabregas has told Dele Alli to 'keep working' for his next chance at Como after his nightmare debut.
In his press conference on Friday, Fabregas pointedly declared that he gives opportunities to those who 'train well and earn a spot during the week', amid an impressive run of form for the monied Italian minnows now comfortably sitting in mid-table.
Alli was afforded the chance to train with the Serie A club before officially joining their ranks in January. He made his first professional appearance in more than two years against AC Milan in March.
But his return ended after only 10 minutes as Como went on to lose 2-1 to the Rossoneri. It is the only defeat Fabregas' men have suffered in their last seven matches.
'I play those who train well and earn a spot during the week,' Fabregas told reporters ahead of their clash with Parma. 'Dele Alli needs to keep working. He had his chance in Milan, but was sent off and then got injured.
'When the right time comes, it just comes. [Anastasios] Douvikas has trained well, and everyone is available except Sergi Roberto and Dossena.'
Before moving to Como, Alli spent spent two years with the Toffees, a tenure which included a loan spell with Turkish outfit Besiktas in 2022-23.
In the last three seasons, he has made just 18 professional appearances, with his last before his Como outing coming in February 2023 during his loan spell with Besiktas.
The midfielder revealed in early 2024 that he had been targeting a spot at the 2026 World Cup with England as he looks at an eventual return to international football.
Alli previously starred as an England regular and played at Euro 2016 and the World Cup in Russia two years later, but hasn't featured since making his 37th international appearance six years ago.
After his red card last month, the 29-year-old admitted his disastrous debut was 'not necessarily how I planned it', while remaining optimistic after making his comeback.
He also revealed a hilarious text exchange with Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek - who he was dismissed for fouling - to whom he told: 'Pic looks bad tho, I just tried to clip ur heel. When the ref went to var I didn't even know it was for me.'
The former Chelsea midfielder responded: 'Bro I had no clue. I stayed down coz I was blowing.'
Fabregas had little sympathy for him at the time, telling DAZN: 'Dele Alli is a player who can score goals. He perhaps didn't deserve this opportunity because he has only been working with us for two weeks and has a lot to improve.
'It is a grave mistake, one that we should not see from a player of his experience.
'It was a clear red card, there's nothing to be said about that, he left the team down to 10 men during a crucial moment when we were pushing for 2-2.
'That is the most negative thing about this evening, but we keep going.'