Alli has returned to the UK after picking up an injury during his loan spell at Besiktas
Footballer Dele Alli has been pictured at a flat in Manchester surrounded by what appear to be laughing gas canisters.
In a picture posted on social media, the 26-year-old can be seen at a table laden with giant bottles of nitrous oxide, with a balloon in his mouth.
According to the location on the initial picture, the photo was taken in Salford.
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas or nos, is a colourless gas sold in metal canisters and typically inhaled through a balloon for recreational purposes.
Alli has spent this season on loan at Besiktas, but it is expected that the Turkish side will terminate his time at the club after he picked up a hip injury.
He hasn’t appeared on the pitch since the end of February when he played in a match against Antalyaspor.
In past years a number of footballers have been pictured taking nitrous oxide.
Most recently, Manchester United full back Brandon Williams was pictured appearing to inhale the gas from a balloon near the club’s training ground.
Last month, the UK government announced it would be banning the sale and possession of nitrous oxide in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour.
While supplying nitrous oxide for its psychoactive effects is already illegal, it is not a crime to possess the gas, which is widely used in catering, motoring and medical settings.
It is one of the most commonly-used drugs among 16-24 year olds in England, the government says.
Heavy regular use of laughing gas can lead to a range of side effects which include dizziness, weakness in the legs and impaired memory.
The pictures of Alli are the latest setback for the English midfielder, whose career has stalled in recent years.
The midfielder burst onto the scene in 2015, becoming a pivotal part of Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham side.
He was twice named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, in 2016 and 2017, and was named the PFA Young Player of the Year in both seasons as well.
He played in the 2019 Champions League final for Tottenham.
On the international stage, Alli has earned 37 caps for England, and played in the team that made the 2018 World Cup semi finals.
But after Pochettino departed the club, Alli fell out of favour with new manager Jose Mourinho, and moved to Everton in January 2022.
He made only 13 appearances for the club, without registering a goal or assist, and was then sent on a season long loan to Besiktas.
Again though, the 26-year-old failed to have an impact, scoring just two goals in 13 games this season.
Following his injury, he will now be assessed by Everton’s medical staff. The extent of the injury is not yet known.
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