Player Focus: Is Dier the Answer or a Temporary Solution in Spurs Midfield?
As the transfer window neared its conclusion earlier this month, Tottenham fans were hopeful new faces would arrive. A striker and a central midfielder were perhaps the priorities, with the former perhaps less so following the big money arrival of Heung-min Son. In hindsight, for now at least, the latter needn’t have been too much of a concern either.
Dele Alli’s performances in the middle of the park have seen him quickly endear himself to supporters, with the former MK Dons star looking everything fans hoped Paulinho would be and more. A hugely impressive showing against Crystal Palace on Sunday went a long way to cementing a regular first team berth, even when Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb return to fitness.
It’s Alli’s midfield partner at the weekend, though, who may well prove harder to displace in the starting line-up this season. Eric Dier was first used in the role in pre-season by Mauricio Pochettino and while he initially looked out of his depth in midfield, the 21-year-old has grown into the position as he aims to consolidate his place in the side. Of all Spurs players to make at least two league starts this season, only Jan Vertonghen (7.34) has gained a better WhoScored rating than Dier (7.32). Despite performing in a somewhat unfamiliar role, the young Englishman has impressed in front of the back four.
Player Focus: Is Dier the Answer or a Temporary Solution in Spurs Midfield?
It’s no coincidence that with Dier as the deepest lying midfielder, only current title favourites Manchester City (2) have conceded fewer goals than Spurs (4) in the Premier League this term. The youngster has performed the necessary defensive duties required of him, with a tally of 25 tackles the best of all Spurs players and enough to rank fifth in England’s top tier. Since Sandro’s injury sustained in 2013, Spurs have lacked a natural holder to protect the defence, and Dier’s positional discipline arguably stands him in better stead than the Brazilian.
Of course, midfield is not a role that is completely alien to the player. Dier played in the middle of the park a handful of times during his spell at Sporting, though failed to really convince in the position, including once in a derby encounter with Benfica where he was shown up by opposite number Nemanja Matic. With a lack of options, though, Pochettino was forced into fielding Dier in midfield. As a short term solution, he has certainly performed above expectations. He has gradually improved as the season has worn on, though Dier's form in the midfield could yet end up hindering his growth as a player.
To the uninitiated, Dier is first and foremost a centre-back. He played in this position on numerous occasions last season alongside Jan Vertonghen, though the subsequent arrival of Toby Alderweireld meant his playing time at the heart of the backline was always going to be limited. Yet Dier is a player who warrants regular first team action, of that there is no doubt. He showed enough last term to suggest he is well on his way to realising his potential. Given Pochettino’s favouritism towards younger players - the starting XI’s average age of 24 years and 118 days against Palace was the youngest in the Premier League this season - this will benefit Dier.
Player Focus: Is Dier the Answer or a Temporary Solution in Spurs Midfield?
However, he, among others, feels his long-term future is not in the midfield. Last season Dier rejected a call up to the England U21 squad as he wanted to continue his development at centre-back with his club. At such a young age, also, his poor concentration - a WhoScored weakness of his - is an area that needs improvement if he is to flourish. A case in point came in Spurs’ 3-1 Europa League win over FC Karabakh last Thursday. In the build up to Richard Almeida’s penalty, the Azerbaijani side instigated a swift counter attack, of which Dier broke rank to cut out before the move manifested into something more dangerous. His inexperience, though, meant his recklessness was capitalised upon, culminating in Kieran Tripper body-checking Ansi Agolli in the 18-yard box.
The mental side of his game can be worked on in time, but against the Premier League’s better midfields, Dier’s at times poor concentration could be highlighted. Against Manchester City this coming weekend, the England hopeful is expected to come up against Kevin De Bruyne, Yaya Toure and - if he recovers in time - David Silva, which, despite Spurs’ recent good form, will be a huge test of the team, and not least Dier's credentials.
Nevertheless a pass success rate of 87.3% and an average of 50 passes per game - both among the better returns for Spurs - shows he’s performing the duties expected of him, which, for the time being, is aiding the North London side's attempts to haul themselves up the Premier League table. However, Dier’s deployment in midfield can perhaps be seen as temporary solution to a permanent problem, without taking anything away from the defender, who has indeed impressed in the middle of the park up until this point.
