Paul Merson criticised Tottenham Hotspur star Eric Dier on Sky Sports News (2:40pm, October 24, 2020).
The former Arsenal star, who now works as a pundit for Sky Sports, does not think that Dier is great as a central defender.
Merson believes that the England international, who can also operate as a defensive midfielder, can be “lackadaisical” at times and can lose concentration, but he does think that the 26-year-old is a “top player”.
The Englishman said about Dier on Sky Sports News (2:40pm, October 24, 2020): “I like Eric Dier, but I think he loses concentration playing centre-half. I think there’s a chance.”
The Sky Sports pundit added: “He finds it so comfortable in the game that I think sometimes he becomes lackadaisical and gives you that opportunity.
“I do, I think that he is that good, Eric Dier. I think he is a top player, (but) he is not an out-and-out centre-half.”
Eric Dier as a centre-back
Dier’s versatility has been a key factor in him playing regularly for Tottenham over the years.
The England international is a very good player who can only get better in the coming years.
True, Dier is not the best of centre-backs and can make mistakes, but errors happen with every footballer.
Toby Alderweireld is 31 years of age, and with Jan Vertonghen having left in the summer transfer window, the Belgium international centre-back needs a regular partner and may have to be replaced in the team in the long term as well.
With Davinson Sanchez and Joe Rodon in the squad, Spurs head coach Jose Mourinho does have options in central defence.
What Mourinho needs is find his best centre-back pairing and allow them to develop an on-pitch understanding.
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