‘Solid’, ‘vital blocks’: Media impressed by Tottenham defender’s latest international outing

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Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier made his return to the England fold on Friday night.

The Spurs ace hadn’t been in the Three Lions setup since March 2021.

However, Dier’s form for Tottenham under Antonio Conte has seen him return to contention.

On Friday night, England faced Italy in their Nations League encounter in Milan.

And Gareth Southgate named the Tottenham ace as the central defender in a back three.

It wasn’t a good performance by England as they lost 1-0 to Italy and suffered relegation to League B.

However, Dier was one of the few Three Lions players who could hold their heads high by full-time.

‘Deserved this recall’

Several media outlets praised the Spurs ace for his display against the Euro 2020 champions.

‘Looked largely assured in the middle of a back three,’ wrote Sky Sports, who gave Dier 7 out of 10.

‘Made some vital blocks towards the end of the first half as Italy began to press again, although was far too easily beaten by Manolo Gabbiadini towards the end of the game.

‘But he did acquit himself well on his first England start in just under two years.’

The Mirror also gave the Tottenham defender 7 out of 10.

‘He has deserved this recall, looks assured in the middle of the back three,’ they wrote.

Meanwhile, The Guardian awarded Dier 6 out of 10.

‘Solid on his first appearance for England since November 2020,’ they wrote.

‘The Tottenham defender made some important blocks.’

Likewise, the Evening Standard went with 6 out of 10 for the Spurs star.

They wrote: ‘Looked calm and assured at heart of back-three on first England appearance in the best part of two years.

‘Didn’t connect with decent headed chance but made crucial clearance in own box to deny Acerbi.’

England are next in action on Monday when they face Germany at Wembley Stadium.

Then, Dier and Tottenham return to action in the North London derby at Arsenal on Saturday.