‘The key part’: Wright-Phillips names surprising Tottenham man as being crucial to Conte’s set-up

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Former England and Manchester City winger, Shaun Wright-Phillips, has said that Tottenham defender Eric Dier is now a key figure in Antonio Conte’s XI.

Dier, who has been knocking on the door of an England return, has been in fine form of late and has become an integral member of Conte’s squad. Slotting into the back three, Dier has been instrumental in some solid performances by Spurs, despite inconsistencies in results.

And according to a surprised Wright-Phillips, Dier is now essential to Tottenham’s way of playing under Conte.

“You’ve got a holding midfielder who decided that he wants to be a centre-back. I’ve never heard that before in my life,” Wright-Phillips told the Kelly and Wrighty show.

“That guy has automatically become the key part of that centre-back [unit]. There’s a lot of things going on there that isn’t that normal for a defence.”

Dier has played 90 minutes in each of the last six games for Tottenham since recovering from injury. The 28-year-old has now played more than 300 times for Spurs and has hung in there despite a raft of managers in recent seasons.

TBR’s View: Dier Proving His Worth To Tottenham

Most fans of Premier League football and Tottenham have probably, at some point anyway, criticised Dier or labelled him not being up to the standard required.

But now, he is really showing his mettle under Conte. Alongside Cristian Romero, Dier has become crucial for Spurs as Wright-Phillips says and it might even save Tottenham money come the summer.

At 28, there is plenty of life left in him yet and there’s no reason he can’t continue to get better under Conte. Certainly, if he keeps performing how he is, then there’s little reason why Conte would seek to hastily replace his man.