Dele Alli’s mother has revealed she let her son leave the family home to give him the best chance of becoming a professional footballer.
Alli was 13 when his mother agreed he could move to live with Harry Hickford, a defender with Milton Keynes Dons, and his parents.
Alli, 19, completed a £5 million move to Tottenham a year ago and has been one of the stars of the season. Denise Alli told the Sun on Sunday: “I had to let him go to give him a better future. Emotionally, it was heart-breaking but it was the right thing to do.
“I had a serious drink problem triggered by my unhappy childhood. I was hooked on vodka, beer — anything — for a few years.
“Social Services visited me after complaints from my neighbours about how I was raising my children but my kids were never taken away. It was my decision to let Dele live with another family.
“I knew that was the only way he could fulfil his dream of becoming a professional footballer. I could see he had talent and dreamed of playing for Barcelona.
“It was tough to give up my son but it proved to be his salvation. I’m so thankful for how things have turned out.”
Alli has scored five times for Tottenham this season and also won four senior England caps, scoring in the friendly victory over France at Wembley last November.
It has been a remarkable rise for a man who had played only for MK Dons in League One before this season. Now he is a mainstay of the Tottenham team and is expected to be handed a new contract in the coming weeks.
In Focus: Dele Alli
Denise Alli added: “When he scored the goal against France I leapt out of my seat — I was so happy.
“My son has made it by himself. I am so pleased for him and super-proud of everything he has achieved.”
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