Is 22-year-old Eric Dier already one of Tottenham’s key players?

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Versatility

Dier’s most important influence on the team is that he can play many roles. His ability to easily shift from one position to another enables a more versatile style of play, as Pochettino clearly wants. In 2013-14 and 2014-15, Dier played just one game in defensive midfield for Sporting Lisbon or Tottenham, featuring mainly at right-back and centre-half. This year however, Pochettino has moved him into defensive midfield, and the decision has paid off.

Dier is comfortable at both full-back and centre-back. This allows Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen; two fantastic attacking central defenders, more attacking license. Both can dribble into midfield and look to create, without fear of leaving space behind them, because Dier; an average attacker, will drop into the empty space.

The full-backs; normally Kyle Walker and Danny Rose, are also free to attack. If one or both pushes higher up the field; as Pochettino desires, then Dier can either shift out wide to fill the vacant spot or drop between Alderweireld and Vertonghen to fashion a version of a 3-5-2 formation.

Pochettino’s philosophy of offence; ‘Juego de Posicion’, is the same as Pep Guardiola’s. The goal is to find superiority; primarily in numerical terms, over the opponent, which you can then use to create chances. Defenders play a critical role in this philosophy. Alderweireld and Vertonghen are crucial to Spurs’ build up play, as they collect the ball from Hugo Lloris and then distribute it upfield, often directly to Harry Kane. Their passing ability would be limited if they were constrained to staying in the back-line, with no freedom to seek clearer passing lanes. Dier’s versatility enables their attacking freedom.

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The full-backs are also needed, mainly to provide width. The front three of Spurs’ 4-2-3-1 is very centrally focused. Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Erik Lamela all spend most of their game in the centre of the field. This fits into Juego de Posicion’s idea of finding superiority, as Tottenham often have a numerical overload in the middle.

However, this also means that there is little to no width coming from their primary attacking outlets. Teams could theoretically pack their defenders into central areas and dramatically reduce the space available. But with Rose and Walker making runs on the wings, team’s full-backs and wide midfielders are forced to stay wide, leaving room in the centre for Eriksen, Lamela and Alli. Rose and Walker can make these forward movements without fear; like Alderweireld and Vertonghen, of leaving open space, since Dier will shift into it.

Dier has transitioned so well into central midfield, in part because he spends a fair amount of the game covering for the back-line. He is exceptional when he plays in midfield, and his attacking ability should not be understated, but being able to move back into comfortable areas periodically in the course of a match has made the transition easier.

It should also be noted that Dier’s midfield pivot partner; normally Moussa Dembele due to Nabil Bentaleb’s injury, is also very important. Either one often sits in the middle, allowing Dier himself the freedom to cover for others.