Reports have emerged recently, stating that 20-time Premier League champions Manchester United are planning a shocking transfer move for versatile Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier. The 23-year old joined Tottenham from Portuguese side Sporting CP back in 2014 and has grown leaps and bounds since then, becoming a vital cog of Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
United manager Jose Mourinho is apparently a huge admirer of the defender, who over the past season, has developed into one of the finest defensive midfielders in the country. With money not at all being a factor for Manchester United, we could see them splash out a huge amount of money for Dier.
But should Tottenham consider selling their midfield destroyer? To strengthen a direct rival?
The answer is a big NO. Dier has been excelling at White Hart Lane ever since he moved there and has gone on to become a huge success in the middle of the park. His development at Tottenham under Pochettino has seen him make the role of the midfielder his own for the England National Team as well.
The £70,000-a-week midfielder has demonstrated great defensive nous and game awareness playing as a shield for the backline. His tough-tackling, aggressive approach in the centre of the pitch sits perfectly with the way the team plays, allowing them to press higher up the pitch. He may have gone off the boil in recent weeks and has been drawing some flak from some quarters, but his value to the team is immense.
He is not just as a midfielder. His primary trade of playing as a defender allows Pochettino the flexibility to play with a three-man defence, which the Argentine tactician has done to good effect this season. He also acted as a backup for the first-choice centre-half duo of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen.
After impressing heavily as a midfielder last season, where he played a huge role in their title challenge, he hasn’t had the same effect this term. With the emergence of summer signing Victor Wanyama and the impressive Mousa Dembele, Dier has had to make do with a bit-part role. Injuries in the defensive line meant that he had to fill in at the back on quite a few occasions. As a result, he has struggled for consistency.
But considering his age and the vast improvement that we have seen in the past two years, it is indicative that Dier will only go one way from here and is destined for bigger and better things. Having a young and promising English player who can perform multiple roles for the team and to great effect in the current day and age of the Premier League is absolutely priceless. Tottenham are lucky to have Eric Dier in their ranks.
United will come in with huge bids and a lot of money will be thrown around, but Tottenham growing in stature every day and don’t have to be a selling club anymore. Having sold Michael Carrick to United back in 2006, Spurs have seen the midfielder grow into one of the best in the game and they will be keen not to repeat a similar incident with Dier. They now have the financial means to do so as well. So, if United do come calling in the summer, Daniel Levy and Tottenham should send them back with a resounding NO.