Dele's brave interview left close pal Eric Dier in tears - "Wish I'd done more"

28 July 2023 , 05:37

938     0

Dele's brave interview left close pal Eric Dier in tears - "Wish I'd done more"

Eric Dier cut an emotional figure as he delivered his verdict on former team-mate Dele Alli's brave interview with The Overlap's Gary Neville earlier this month.

Dele, 27, returned to Everton for pre-season on July 6 after a difficult spell in Turkey which led to him checking himself into rehab due to an addiction to sleeping tablets. Shortly following his return, an interview was released after Dele spoke to Neville about his past and current experiences as he deals with mental health issues.

The ex-Tottenham star opened up on his traumatic childhood with his birth family before he was adopted at the age of 12. He claimed he was molested as a six-year-old in disturbing remarks from the midfielder.

Now, Dier, who was speaking after painting with some underprivileged youngsters at the Children's Wishing Well charity in Singapore, admitted it was tough to see Dele struggling.

"Obviously, it was difficult to watch," Dier said. "Lots of stuff, not everything, but quite a lot of it I knew already. I was with him just a week before, he was at my wedding. I don’t know what to say about it.

Everton chiefs face transfer backlash from fans after deadline day disaster

"I don't want to say anything that I haven't said to him. I wouldn't do that. For me it was, as I said, it was difficult to watch, upsetting. I think my overwhelming feeling, which I said to him as well, is probably I'm upset that I didn’t do more."

Eric Dier and Dele Alli after Tottenham's win over Everton in 2022 (Getty Images)

Dele and Dier were close friends during their time together at Tottenham and remain close now - Dele was recently in attendance at Dier's wedding. Both were part of Mauricio Pochettino's side that finished third and second in consecutive seasons and reached the 2019 Champions Leage final. But despite being close, Dier claimed he had no idea about Dele's trauma and the abuse he suffered as a child.

"No, I wasn't aware of it. There were things that I was and wasn’t aware of," he added. "A long time ago I went to Milton Keynes with him and he showed me around where he grew up. He showed me everything so I was aware of the outline of the picture, the frame, but not the picture itself."

During Dele's interview, he mentioned that Dier supported him throughout his time in north London. When that was brought up, Dier could not hold back the tears as he reflected on the relationship he has with Dele.

Dier said: "I don’t really like talking about it publicly because I don’t really feel like it’s my place, you know? I’m happy to say anything that I’ve spoken about with him to a certain extent.

"He’s been a great friend to me as well, you know? He just has been," he said before another long pause is needed. "He’s just… sorry, I just need… I can’t speak."

Kieran King