Tony Cascarino questions whether Eric Dier will be a key factor for Tottenham Hotspur all season after Antonio Conte suggested the centre-back should replicate Leonardo Bonucci.
Conte comparing Tottenham ace Dier with Bonucci ‘a long one’ for Cascarino
Antonio Conte wants Eric Dier to try and replicate what his former Juventus star Leonardo Bonucci offered in possession. But Tony Cascarino feels comparisons between the two are a little fanciful, and told talkSPORT he questions the Tottenham Hotspur man’s longevity.
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Bonucci played an instrumental role in Conte’s successful spell in charge of Juventus, with the pair winning three Serie A titles together. The 35-year-old has also gone on to take his own tally of Italian top-flight titles to nine, while helping to clinch four Coppa Italia crowns.
Even today, Bonucci is a key cog in the Juventus defence as the Bianconeri’s captain under Massimiliano Allegri. His ability on the ball continues to stand out to Conte, who feels Dier can learn a lot from the Italian and would be angered if his early-season form fades away.
“With the ball Bonucci can be a good example for Eric Dier,” Conte explained. “Bonucci did a lot with his career, which Eric can replicate. He has to continue in the way he’s playing at the moment – I’ll be very angry if he doesn’t.”
Dier has proven to be a key figure in the Tottenham defence through the north Londoners’ positive early-season spell under Conte. His efforts have also convinced Gareth Southgate to recall the 45-cap international to the England squad for the first time since March 2021.
Cascarino still questioning if Dier will be a key figure throughout the term
Yet while Dier has Southgate’s support and Conte mentioning the 28-year-old in the same breath as Bonucci, Cascarino continues to question if the midfielder-cum-defender will be the same key figure in north London at the end of the campaign as he currently appears.
“He’s had a decent start to the season but comparing him to Bonucci is a bit of a long one, for me, at the moment,” Cascarino noted. “I’d hold back on that one. I wouldn’t have that he’s as versatile as Bonucci – maybe he was a failed midfielder, more than a midfielder.
“He didn’t pull up any trees. I think he’s not bad, I’m still reserved in my opinion over the course of a season on Dier… He’s shone in September and August, and I don’t know how good he will be over the course of a season.”
Dier has played every minute of Tottenham’s unbeaten start to the Premier League term. He also scored on the opening day to take the lead against Southampton, and has featured uninterrupted through Spurs’ opening two Champions League group stage ties this season.
Often, Dier has been the last line of defence in front of Hugo Lloris’ net and has appeared a comfortable presence in possession. But the £4m arrival from Sporting Lisbon back in 2014 may need to deliver at the same high level over the coming months to win Cascarino over.
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