Stephen Warnock ‘not convinced’ by Tottenham player Eric Dier after loss to Manchester United

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Stephen Warnock has questioned Tottenham defender Eric Dier after a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.

The former Premier League player was discussing the Spurs man during this morning’s The Football Show on Sky Sports News (12/04; 10:13)

Dier has spent the current campaign playing as one of Jose Mourinho’s central defenders.

It’s fair to say he hasn’t ever really looked comfortable in the role, however, and Spurs will surely seek better in the summer.

Tottenham were undone in the second half after United scored three times to come from behind and claim a massive victory.

Warnock thinks Dier just falls below the standard of player that Spurs should have in such a key area.

He told The Football Show on Sky Sports News (12/04; 10:13): “Defensively they’re not good enough. I’m still not convinced Eric Dier is a centre-back. I think he’s better in that holding position.

“Whether he needs someone who talks alongside him, someone with pace to cover him at times.

“There are certain games that suit Dier, but when you’ve got the nous of Cavani playing on the shoulders, he struggles with it; he struggles to see the runs.

“He’s a good player but to step up to that next level of playing in the Champions League you need to be elite. I think he falls just below that bracket.”

TBR View: Tottenham have to replace Dier in the summer

Every squad needs a player like Eric Dier. He can play in three or four positions and that can be a managers dream.

That said, in no way should Tottenham expect to be certainties for a Champions League place with the England man playing every game at centre-back.

Warnock is spot on to suggest he falls well below the required quality to play for a team with lofty aspirations of Champions League football.

The £72,000-a-week player fills the role of utility man nicely and there is a role for him at Tottenham.

If the club is serious about challenging for honours on a frequent basis then a new centre-back has to be sought in the summer.