Antonio Conte: £4m Tottenham man is ‘very difficult’ to rotate, has two other options

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Antonio Conte has told Friday’s press conference – as per Football London – that Tottenham defender Eric Dier is “very difficult” to rotate. But the Italian gaffer does say that Cristian Romero and Davinson Sanchez could play there.

Dier, 28, has started all 13 matches for Tottenham this season – completing 12 games. He was subbed off against Frankfurt on Wednesday night, with the game looking comfortable at 3-1. Frankfurt scored with Dier off the pitch.

It underlined just how important he is to the defence. Indeed, the £4million Tottenham signing has been one of Tottenham’s best players this season under Conte – along with Harry Kane, Hugo Lloris and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

The England international has now clocked up 332 appearances for Tottenham and is one of the first names on the team sheet. Asked if Dier is unable to be rotated, Conte said that the defender is “very difficult” to rest.

“There are specific roles that is very, very difficult to make rotation. I think that position, the central defenders, is very very important. I think he is playing a really good season,” Conte said, as per Football London.

“We can use Cristian Romero, Sanchez could play, but if I have the possibility and the player gives me the availability and tells me that he has recovered energy, there are positions in the team that it is better to continue to play.”

Conte: Tottenham defender Dier is very difficult to rotate

Prior to Conte’s arrival, Dier had been in an out of the side under Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espirito Santo. He had tailed off towards the end of Mauricio Pochettino’s reign. But now, he is absolutely indispensable to Tottenham.

His form has been so good that he is almost nailed-on to make England’s World Cup squad. A player that ex-Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson says is the best defender in the country, right now. Dier is crucial to Spurs.

Romero is best on the right and Sanchez has a mistake in him. Dier is a leader. He is a Tottenham icon of the club’s modern era. He will continue to shine as long as Conte remains at the helm.