Eric Dier has admitted he regrets not doing more to help former team-mate Dele Alli amid his off-field struggles.
Last summer, Dele sat down Gary Neville for a hard-hitting, emotional conversation that left the Manchester United legend in tears. In the interview, Dele told Neville how he was molested at just six years of age.
He also disclosed that he started smoking at seven and selling drugs at eight. Dele further shed light on how he checked himself into a rehab facility while on loan at Besiktas after becoming addicted to pain killers.
The midfielder then revealed that he had even considered retirement during the final stages of his time at Tottenham. Dier played for Spurs alongside Dele, with the defender feeling he should have done more to support him.
“It’s difficult for me to talk about Dele. I speak to him all the time, every week, obviously it was just very difficult to watch. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen the whole video, I’ve seen bits of it but it’s difficult for me to watch," Dier told The Overlap.
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"He said some nice things about me, but it works both ways – he’s also been a great friend to me. It annoys me a little because people after that interview would talk to me, but he’s been a great friend to me as well – Dele is a special person.
"I remember, I was getting married and knew that he was in America, in rehab, and I spoke to him a few times and said that there would be no problem if he couldn’t come and he was almost insulted.
Dele gave an emotional interview to Gary Neville last summer (Instagram/dele)"He came and was there for me – that’s the type of friend he’s been to me. I’m disappointed that I didn’t do more, in many situations that I look back on I wasn’t aware of the full picture and there’s a lot of things.
"I was that annoying older person, I would always be on his case so he would hide things from me, or tell me something but give just 20 percent of it – I have a lot of regrets and there were certain times that I wish I did more.”
As he opened up on his decision to enter rehab, Dele admitted he had been caught in a bad cycle. But he insisted that his move to seek help was something that he was pleased he did.
Dele told The Overlap: "I was in a bad cycle. I was relying on things that were doing me harm. I was waking up every day, winning the fight going into training every day smiling – willing to show I was happy. Inside I was losing the battle and it was time to change. When I was told I needed surgery I could feel the feelings I had when the cycle began.
"So I went there for six weeks. Everton were amazing and supportive, I will be grateful to them forever. For them to be so honest and understanding I couldn't ask for anything more during a time I was making the biggest decision of my life – doing something I was scared to do. I'm happy I've done it."
* If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email _jo@samaritans.org _ or visit their site to find your local branch
* The NSPCC's confidential 24-hour helpline is 0808 800 5000; Childline is 0800 1111. Police urge victims of sexual abuse, no matter how long ago it took place, to call 101.
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