Eric Dier sheds light on inspiration behind Tottenham shirt number choice

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Eric Dier wears 15 for Tottenham Hotspur, but suggests that the choice was inspired by a Manchester United hero.

Tottenham’s Dele Alli celebrates scoring their first goal with Eric Dier

Eric Dier has told The Players’ Tribune that his Tottenham Hotspur shirt number is inspired by a Manchester United hero he loved watching growing up.

Dier has been one of Spurs’ key men over the last few seasons, and is one of a number of players who seem to embody the philosophy the club has adopted in recent years in showing complete faith in young, and often unproven, talent.

The 23-year-old has shone in the holding midfield position since arriving at White Hart Lane in 2014, but has also excelled when deployed at centre-back for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

And it is one of arguably the greatest centre-backs of the Premier League era who has seemingly inspired the shirt number Dier has worn since joining Spurs.

Nemanja Vidic at Manchester United

“I was a big fan of Roy Keane when I was younger, and then it was Nemanja Vidić (one of the reasons I like the number 15 is Vidić) and his defensive partner, Rio Ferdinand,” he told The Players’ Tribune.

“But I liked different kinds of players as well. Vidić was a bit of a warrior, yet at the same time I loved to watch Gerard Piqué and Rafael Márquez, who played in both defence and midfield at Barcelona.”

Just because Dier admitted to admiring the likes of Roy Keane and Nemanja Vidic, does not necessarily mean that he supported United as such – especially as both men play in the positions that Dier has excelled in.

However, news of his inspiration may perhaps interest some United fans as the Red Devils were linked with a move for the England international earlier in the month (via The Sun).

They may perhaps feel that if he was a United fan, or admirer at least, growing up, then a move to Old Trafford may appeal to him at some stage in the future, and thus, they should make him a serious target.

But based on their current positions in the top flight table, it would be no surprise if Dier had no desire to play for anyone but Spurs at the moment, no matter which he players he idolised growing up.