We have witnessed some top quality performances in this season’s premier league. Well, I’m especially talking about the clubs that were nowhere near at the top of the league last season. Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
A brilliance from Vardy, a sensational season of Mahrez, many breath-taking performances of Harry Kane, N’golo Kante’s record breaking year and what not.
During the pre-season friendlies, Spurs’ fans wanted Mauricio Pochettino to sign a solid defensive midfielder. Well, their demand was obvious as the side conceded 53 league goals in the last season and the manager even tried to sign Southampton rock, Victor Wanyama. The transfer eventually failed in the end and the manager had to try some experiments with what he already had. This introduced Eric Dier to the central midfield in the team.
Because of his versatility, he was rotated in the right back and the center back position last year but, this term, he has finally found a more established role in the squad. While Kane and Alli were the more glamorous representatives of the side, Dier’s importance, and his awareness have been equally crucial for the side.
Well, how Dier has been an important figure for the team? His stats say it all for himself. So far, he has made 77 interceptions in the league, 73 clearances, and 19 blocks and well, we are talking about a midfielder. Apart from his defensive duties, he has been the team’s deep-lying player maker as well with his passing abilities as he averages 82% of passing accuracy and is improving performance after performance. This player is capable of stopping the rhythm of opponent’s attack very easily. Dier has clear ideas about the tactical and technical approaches and is one of the most efficient players Spurs have this season. Standing 6ft 2in tall, he possesses a great physical strength and is also good in the air. And his great physical strength makes him an aggressive tackler.
Dier can wonderfully cope with the heavy workload and Tottenham might say that they have a holding midfielder of international caliber. Surely, the manager has played a major part in player’s progress as he is the one who builds the confidence, who brings around a positive environment around the players.
Premier League football is laboring and that is the only reason why this competitive nature helped Dier to get into the England’s squad for the Euro 2016. Dier is one of the 5 Spurs’ players that caught the eyes of Roy Hodgson to get into the squad.
Well, he proved his worth right away as he scored that powerful, decisive header against the World Champions Germany that sealed the victory for the Lions. He is an intelligent player who could well settle with England’s 4-3-3 formation. He has the ability to stop the runs and intercept the passes of the top quality players like Ozil, Kroos and others.
Well, no matter how the season ends. Dier has shown what quality he possesses and he can be a key player for the side for years to come.