Spurs ace Dier scored England’s decisive penalty to beat Colombia on Tuesday.
Tottenham Hotspur star Eric Dier is in contention to start for England in their World Cup quarter-final against Sweden on Saturday afternoon, but Jermaine Jenas has claimed in his GQ magazine column that he has not done enough to warrant a place in the starting eleven.
Dier, 24, scored the winning penalty in Tuesday’s shootout to send Colombia packing and England into the last eight of the World Cup, after goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had saved Mateus Uribe’s spot kick.
Dier had come on to the field of play in the 81st minute, replacing Dele Alli as England looked to hold on to their slender 1-0 lead over Jose Pekerman’s side. Yerry Mina’s 93rd-minute equaliser saw the game go beyond 90 minutes.
But despite Dier’s heroics that sent England into meltdown, Jenas believes the utility player has not done enough to start against Sweden on Saturday as England look to book their place in the last four.
“I think the midfield looks strong at the moment,” Jenas said. “I don’t think Eric Dier has done enough in the games he has played against Belgium or against Colombia to demand a first-team start.
“But the reason he was chosen as the man to take the fifth and decisive penalty is because he is the coolest man in the England dressing room. He is a great player.”
Gareth Southgate has a number of injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s clash in Samara, though Harry Kane has allayed fears of a calf injury by declaring himself fit. Ashley Young and Jamie Vardy are carrying knocks.
It remains to be seen if Southgate will continue to choose Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson in the holding midfield role, or indeed give either Dier or Fabian Delph a run out – the latter returning to Russia after witnessing the birth of his third child.
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