Jeff Stelling has said on Sky Sports News (12:14pm, April 24, 2021) that Tottenham Hotspur interim-manager Ryan Mason should not let Eric Dier take free kicks from goalscoring positions.
The Soccer Saturday presenter has urged Mason to make sure that Real Madrid-owned winger Gareth Bale takes the free kick if it is outside the box against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
Defender Dier took a free kick in the first half against Southampton instead of Bale in midweek, but the effort from the England international – who can also operate as a midfielder – was nowhere near target.
Stelling said on Sky Sports News (12:14pm, April 24, 2021): “I am not a football coach, but Ryan, if you get a free kick outside the box in the Cup final, let Gareth Bale take it, or at least do not let Eric Dier take it, okay. Let’s put it that way.”
Gareth Bale or Eric Dier on free kicks?
Dier can take free kicks, but Bale is better on set pieces. If the Wales international winger starts against City at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, then he should take the free kicks.
The winger, signed on loan from Real Madrid last summer, scored a brilliant goal against Southampton in the Premier League in midweek and is full of confidence.
City will head into the match as favourites, but given Bale’s experience of winning trophies and major in playing finals with Madrid, the Welshman could prove to be key for Spurs.
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