Eric Dier has been speaking to Sky Sports about life under Antonio Conte, and he shared some interesting comments about the Italian.
What’s the story?
Well, the £92,000-a-week Tottenham defender admits the 52-year-old is making life “uncomfortable” for him in N17.
However, Dier does find Conte’s demanding nature to be “enjoyable” as well.
The England international said: “I think it is what the club needed, what the squad needed. Comfort is the enemy, he has created an uncomfortable environment, and he is doing that more and more. It keeps you on your toes, everyone within the club, it keeps them on their toes. It pushes you. I find that a very enjoyable environment to work in.”
In our view, this is exactly what the Tottenham squad needed.
For too long, Spurs have sleepwalked through crucial games, and have never managed to get themselves anywhere despite looking good in flashes.
Under Conte, there will hopefully be more substance about the north Londoners, as well as a mentality shift which enables them to push for silverware.
Some players, such as Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso, didn’t seem capable of hacking it under Conte, and they’ve now been shipped out on loan.
However, Dier is embracing the change in attitude, and it’s certainly showing in his performances.
Eric Dier has shone for Tottenham
Whatever Conte has been doing with Dier at Hotspur Way, it’s working very well.
Former Spurs striker Darren Bent was shocked to see Gareth Southgate leave the 28-year-old out of his latest England squad, and so were we – specifically, we felt he deserved a place ahead of Tyrone Mings.
Nevertheless, Dier will hopefully use that snub as motivation to keep improving under Conte, and stake a claim for a World Cup place in November.
Irregardless of the international scene, if Dier can keep playing this well for Tottenham and others step up, it surely won’t be long until Spurs return to the Champions League.
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