‘It’s hard’: Eric Dier says he hates seeing ‘unbelievable’ ex-Tottenham man wear a different club’s shirt now

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Tottenham Hotspur star Eric Dier has claimed that he watches Benfica regularly just so that he can see his good pal Jan Vertonghen play.

The Belgian spent eight years as a Spurs player and was a fan favourite at the club. Almost every Tottenham fan adored him and so did Dier, who learnt a lot from the experienced defender.

Vertonghen, branded as an ‘unbelievable player’ by Mousa Dembele, played over 300 games for Spurs during his time in England. He left the club in 2020 and joined Benfica on a free transfer, and he has been brilliant whenever he has played for them as well.

Dier, who grew up in Portugal and played for Benfica’s rivals Sporting Lisbon, loves watching Vertonghen. But, he has admitted that it hurts to see the Belgian wear a different club’s shirt.

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Tottenham star Eric Dier: It’s hard to see Jan Vertonghen wear a Benfica shirt

The Spurs star said in an interview with a Portuguese media outlet this week, as quoted by A Bola: “I watch Sporting whenever I can and I also watch a lot of Portuguese league games.

“I have friends playing in several teams, like Vertonghen, who was here (at Tottenham) and is now at Benfica.

“That’s why sometimes I watch his games.

“But, it’s hard for me to see him in a Benfica shirt.”

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Vertonghen, in his prime, would’ve been a fantastic player in Antonio Conte’s system. The Belgian was good on the ball, was excellent under pressure and most importantly, he was a fantastic defender.

It has been almost two years since the ex-Ajax man left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and it has to be said that Spurs are yet to replace him.

Ben Davies currently plays on the left side of the back three for Spurs and he has done well. However, The Athletic claimed yesterday that Tottenham’s priority is to find an upgrade for the Welshman in the summer transfer window.

Vertonghen would’ve been perfect for that role, but sadly, he’s not 24 anymore, he’s 34!

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