‘Not convinced’: Tottenham’s Eric Dier better in midfield, says Troy Deeney

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Former Watford striker and now Talksport pundit, Troy Deeney, believes Tottenham defender Eric Dier looks uncomfortable in the role England deployed him last night. 

Dier played in the back three alongside Tyrone Mings and Kyle Walker, sitting in the middle of the pair as the defensive anchor. England lost the game 2-0, although it was a decent enough performance from the Three Lions.

The Spurs star is a regular in the back four at club level under Jose Mourinho. However, when it comes to the role Gareth Southgate has asked him to play, Deeney is unconvinced by Dier. (Talksport)

“I’m still not convinced with Eric Dier as a centre-half. I think he’s better as a midfielder…he might obviously disagree with me. He doesn’t strike me as he’s comfortable in the centre of a three.

“He’s a great player, I’m not trying to dig him out. I’d just like to see him more as a holding midfielder”.

Dier was one of a number of Tottenham players on display last night, with Belgium having his defensive partner at Spurs, Toby Alderweireld on display in their own backline.

However, with Harry Maguire not involved, it remains to be seen whether Southgate sees Dier as his long-term preferred option in the middle of the back three.

Versatile, but better in a two – TBR View

Deeney makes a good point here about Dier. It’s not a criticism, as he points out, but more that the role is something a bit alien to him.

Not many clubs deploy a back three so it takes someone who is used to playing that system to excel as the main defender in a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3.

Dier has done well enough but there’s no question he looks better in a two at club level. Hopefully, Southgate sees this and doesn’t hang Dier out to dry by playing him in a role he doesn’t know too well.