Jamie Redknapp has told Sky Sports, during their live League Cup coverage, that Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier has improved ‘beyond recognition’.
Dier has been deployed regularly as a centre-back by Jose Mourinho, and he seems to have benefitted from a run of games at the back for Tottenham.
Spurs now have the best defence in the league, and Dier has been Mourinho’s main man at the back.
While Toby Alderweireld has sometimes been rotated in cup competition, Dier has almost been a mainstay at the back.
The England international helped Spurs keep a clean sheet over Brentford in a 2-0 win last night.
And Redknapp thinks that Dier’s leadership qualities, which were evident in the Tottenham documentary, have become vitally important to Mourinho.
“For a while he was a bit of a utility player, played in midfield, played at the back. But right now he’s stamping his authority on every single game for Spurs,” Mourinho said.
“I think in the documentary he came across as the one player who was a leader in the dressing room, Jose identified that really quickly.
“He has improved beyond all recognition. I thought he was a decent centre-back, but he is becoming a very good centre-back.”
There was some doubt over Dier’s ability at the start of the season, but the Tottenham man is proving that he does have the quality to start regularly for a side who wants to win trophies.
Spurs have given up very few chances from open play this term, with Dier proving more than a match for most strikers that he comes up against.
Dier could actually be given a rest in Tottenham’s next game, as Mourinho is expected to rotate his side heavily for their FA Cup clash with Marine on Sunday.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
