Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier has made it clear that he would be willing to play as a goalkeeper if he had to in order to earn game time for England at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as he told his press conference.
The versatile Spurs star added that ‘I can play in any position in defence’ and, ahead of England’s World Cup opener against Iran, he does ‘believe in myself’.
All eyes will be on Gareth Southgate’s first XI, which could include Dier, if he decides to play a back three.
That’s a system the 28-year-old has been used to on the domestic stage under Antonio Conte – mainly playing in the centre of a back three.
In recent weeks, Conte has used Dier on the right-side of a three, and if he is to start against Iran, then that’s the most likely spot he will take, as the Spurs man shared his thoughts ahead of his side’s opener.
“I have been playing in the middle for a long time,” said Dier. “It was a different experience (playing on the right side of a three). I have played in that position a lot under Pochettino, so it wasn’t a position that was completely new to me.
“I think I can play in any position really in defence. I would play in goal if I had to. It’s the World Cup. I would take whatever chance I could get.
“I feel comfortable in any position in defence. I believe in myself to play in anyone.”
DIER’S CHANGE IN FORM
The former Sporting Lisbon man was one of those players who missed out on Euro 2020, and if truth be told, rightly so.
His form just wasn’t up to scratch and it was going backwards for a Tottenham team on the slide.
That’s when Conte entered the chat and, not only lifted Tottenham as a club, but the form of several players, including Dier himself.
And now he finds himself embarking on a World Cup journey with his country.
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