‘Drop your ego’: Gary Neville blasts Tottenham man’s international performance

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Gary Neville told Sky Sports Football (11/10/20 at 5:10 pm) that Eric Dier needs to ‘drop’ his ego after the Tottenham man gave away a penalty for England on Sunday.

Gareth Southgate’s side crawled to a 2-1 win against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League, but they had to come from behind following Dier’s early mistake.

The Spurs defender fouled Romelu Lukaku in the penalty area when he attempted to burst past him on the right-hand side.

Neville shared his thoughts on Dier during the game and blasted the versatile player for his ‘clumsy’ challenge on Lukaku.

“I thought it was a penalty,” Neville told Sky Sports. “Romelu Lukaku ran him. He [Dier] doesn’t get a touch on the ball. He slides and it’s clumsy from Eric Dier.

“Once you go to ground in the box and don’t make contact with the ball. You are in big trouble. It’s not a challenge Eric Dier should be making.

“He’s got Lukaku on his right foot running down that channel. He has to just compose himself.

“I think once Lukaku drives in there, Eric Dier has just got to back off him and pull away. Compose yourself. Don’t make the challenge and certainly don’t go to ground. Drop your ego and maybe even let him have a shot with his right foot. Pickford can see it. It’s a tight angle.

Neville added later on: “They are on the ropes England. Belgium are getting chance after chance. Lukaku is growing in confidence. It looks like he has the measure of Dier. Backing into him and then just unnerving him.”

During the last game, Southgate made a number of changes to his side as England beat Wales 3-0 in an international friendly, with Conor Coady playing in the middle of the three.

Added with the Wolves man scoring, he also led his troops in a vocal fashion from the back, read the danger and looked composed.

Therefore, it was a surprise when he was dropped because some feel Coady perhaps deserve his chance to start for England ahead of someone like Dier.