Does England recall for Eric Dier further validate defensive switch at Tottenham?

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Tottenham Hotspur star Eric Dier has been recalled into the England squad by Gareth Southgate.

The 26-year-old was named in the 24-man squad for the Three Lions’ Nations League games against Iceland and Denmark next month.

Other notable inclusions came in the form of first-timers Kalvin Phillips, Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood.

£60,000-a-week star Dier (Spotrac) is one of three Spurs players in the squad, Harry Kane and Harry Winks being the others.

Dier’s recall means he’ll have the chance to add to his 40 caps, the last of those coming against Switzerland in the same competition last year.

That Southgate has seen fit to reselect Dier perhaps provides further validity to the player operating as a centre-half for his club.

TBR’s View – Dier the defender

Jose Mourinho deployed Dier as a central defender five times during Project Restart, and for the last two games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley before the enforced break.

The star seemed more effective at the back, where mobility is arguably less of a concern.

Southgate clearly rated Dier’s performances at the back too, and he could well now turn to him to partner Joe Gomez next month following the withdrawal of Manchester United star Harry Maguire after guilty verdict.

That Dier’s performances towards the end of the season have been rewarded with a recall might just put an end to his days as a holding midfield player, especially with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg also now in the picture.