Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier has admitted that losing Toby Alderweireld for a lengthy period of time would be a ‘huge blow’ to Spurs. The Belgium international was taken off with an injury during Saturday’s 2-0 win over Manchester City.
Dier and Alderweireld Key to Tottenham’s Defensive Stability in Recent Weeks
Spurs Have Kept Three Clean Sheets in Last Four Games
Asked on the impact Alderweireld’s absence could have on the side, Dier told reporters: “It would be a huge blow for us. We’ve been defending really well.
“Three clean sheets in our last four [Premier League matches] and Toby’s been a big part of that.
“I thought today again he made some fantastic interceptions, tackles, blocks when he needed to. So obviously any player in this squad getting injured is a big loss for us and Toby’s no different.”
As Dier mentioned, both he and Alderweireld have been in top form for Tottenham of late. The Lilywhites have conceded just one goal in their last four games.
Spurs manager Jose Mourinho confirmed in the post-match press conference that Alderweireld’s injury was likely a serious one. Mourinho told football.london: “It’s bad. It’s a muscular injury in the abductor.
“The dimension of course we don’t know, we have to wait, but it’s a difficult injury for sure.
“In the Premier League we have three centre-backs, in the Europa League we have don’t have Joe Rodon, we only have two, but that’s the way it is.
“We don’t have anybody to blame. He played in the international matches that the team needed to win to qualify for the final four. With us he’s playing so well we decided to play him rather than rest him.
“There’s nobody to blame, just to recover as soon as possible.”
Dier Reveals Motivational Mourinho Getting Most Out of Spurs Squad
England international Dier also revealed that both he and his Tottenham teammates were fully motivated to prove the doubters wrong – and that Mourinho has instilled a newfound desire in the squad.
He added: “That [performance] says everything really. As players, we want to perform for him. He’s created a fantastic atmosphere, a fantastic camaraderie in the dressing room. We all want to perform for him.
“He’s more demanding in certain areas and ruthless with you individually and as a team, so he’s definitely increased [our toughness] a bit as well.”
The result against City puts Tottenham top of the league for the first time in six years.
However, a difficult run of fixtures has only just begun. In their next five Premier League matches, Tottenham face Chelsea, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Leicester City.
Spurs must also balance their league commitments with Europa League duties, meaning their much-praised squad depth will be put to the test.
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