England midfielder Eric Dier is searching for last season’s form. It is still early days of course, but he was a revelation for Tottenham Hotspur in 2015/16. Switching Dier from centre back to a central defensive midfield role seemed a master stroke by Mauricio Pochettino. So much so that he is now one of the first names on the England team sheet in that position. This season, however, he has struggled to cement a place in the team ahead of Victor Wanyama who was brought in from Southampton this summer.
Dier had played the central midfield role before of course so it wasn’t totally alien to him. Jesualdo Ferreira threw him in to a fiery game as 19 year old against Porto whilst playing for Sporting Lisbon. He played so well, that he stayed in that role until injury ended his season. Dier has the composure, quickness of thought and range of passing to compliment his natural defensive tendencies in that position. It is no wonder that he did so well there.
After a long season last year, when Tottenham ultimately failed in their pursuit of Leicester City for the Premier League title, the disappointing Euro 2016 tournament that followed straight after may have been a few games too many. And not just for Dier in fact.
Early Season
Returning to White Hart Lane in pre-season, he was faced with competition for a team place that must have felt assuredly his the season before. Victor Wanyama had joined and many had thought that with Dier playing so well previously that Wanyama would merely be his back up. The Kenyan midfielders’ performances have dictated otherwise.
It is possible that Dier may just be a victim to tactical systems being employed by Pochettino. This is in addition to a recent injury to Toby Alderweireld. The latter has meant Dier being deployed fora brief spell in a central defensive role. It seems that he is set to continue there until Alderweireld returns to full health. If Pochettino elects to play the familiar 4-2-3-1 system that he played in 2015/16, however, then Dier can play alongside Wanyama as opposed to instead of. Lately Pochettino has favoured the 4-1-4-1 system which means that only one defensive midfielder is chosen. With Wanyama playing better at the moment, had Alderweireld not been injured it may be that Dier would have had a longer spell on the bench.
Being among the substitutes isn’t the best way to rediscover lost form. Dier will have to prove this in training. Moreover, now that Moussa Demebele is fit again then there are three options for those two deeper lying midfield players in Pochettino’s 4-2-3-1 system. It’s a great problem to have if you are Pochettino, maybe not so good if you are the odd player out. At this moment that player is likely to be Dier.
Dier was one of only two first team players that competed against Liverpool in the EFL Cup that had played the previous Saturday against Bournemouth in the Premier League. This may have hinted at his need for game time, particularly in midfield.
Looking Ahead
Dier is still young of course, and in any case talent doesn’t just disappear. Especially not after just nine premier league games. He was a crucial part of Tottenham’s achievements last season and he will no doubt be so again. Pochettino will need to make better use of his squad this year, as Champions League participation will demand this. This is in contrast to playing in the Europa League where peripheral squad players can be comfortably employed. The Champions League does not afford a coach such a luxury.
Spurs will be looking to improve on their performance in the Premier League last season. They will also be looking to go as far as possible in the Champions League. With fans bemoaning a lack of silverware at the club in recent years, the FA Cup should also be high on the club’s objectives. This being the case squad utilisation will be critical. It means that Dier will have his opportunities. And in doing so ought to take the opportunity to show that it is business as usual as far as he is concerned.
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