Roy Keane told Sky Sports PL (29/11/20 at 1:35 pm) that he still has his ‘doubts’ about Eric Dier playing at centre-back for Tottenham.
The former treble-winner shared that Dier’s lack of pace at the back is ‘always a worry’ for player’s of his calibre.
In previous seasons, Dier has played as a number six for Tottenham before dropping back on a regular basis once Jose Mourinho walked through the doors in North London.
But before Tottenham’s clash against Chelsea on Sunday, Keane was pretty honest in assessing Dier playing at the heart of his club’s defence.
“I think he is doing okay there,” said Keane. “I think because Tottenham are in decent form. I still have my doubt about him playing centre-half.
“I still think he lacks that real bit of pace. Obviously, he is getting well protected, he has got midfielders sitting in front of him.
“And, of course, working with Mourinho, who will be drilling the back four. I still don’t see him as a centre-half. I still think he’s not lightning quick and that’s always a worry for any player in that position.”
Both at club level and on the international stage, it seems as though Dier, even at the age of 26 and experienced at the highest level, is trying to prove his worth.
That ingredient of being hungry to prove critics wrong, added with his natural aggression and leadership skills, might work perfectly well with a manager who likes those types of characteristics in his players.
If there is a coach out there that can transform and take Dier’s game to the next level then it’s someone of Mourinho’s quality.
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