Mauricio Pochettino shares his pride over his brave decision with Tottenham star Eric Dier

Follow us on Google Discover

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has reflected on his decision to turn Eric Dier into a midfielder.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has told Football.London that he is ‘very proud’ of the decision to switch Eric Dier from defence into midfield.

Dier, 23, joined Spurs from Sporting Lisbon back in the summer of 2014, becoming one of Mauricio Pochettino’s first signings as Tottenham manager.

Whilst he was born in Cheltenham, Dier moved to Portugal at the age of just seven, and came up through the ranks with Sporting Lisbon, even earning a loan move to Everton in 2011.

Dier instantly became a Spurs favourite with the winning goal against West Ham on the opening day of the 2014-15 season, and he spent most of his first campaign with the club as a right back or centre back.

However, Dier was then pushed into midfielder by Pochettino at the start of the 2015-16 campaign, offering partnering Mousa Dembele in the middle of the park, offering great defensive protection.

Dier has regularly played in that role for England, and whilst he has often dropped back in to play at centre back in a three-man defence for Spurs, his best position may now be seen as holding midfield.

Ahead of this weekend’s game against West Ham, Spurs boss Pochettino has told The Mirror that he is proud of Dier’s transition to play in midfield, discussing his gradual move into midfield.

Pochettino added that Spurs took a risk by not signing a midfielder in 2015, instead pushing Dier into the role, and he feels Tottenham’s brave decision ultimately paid off with his success.

“I think we feel very proud about him,” said Pochettino. “When we signed him, more than three years ago, I think it was maybe our first signing when we arrived at Tottenham. At West Ham, he played as a centre-back with Younes Kaboul and [then] Kyle Naughton was sent off and and Dier played like a full-back and he scored at the end.”

“When we signed Toby Alderweireld, we took a big risk not signing another midfielder to give the possibility to Eric to fit into that position on the pitch and it was fantastic. Our decision to be brave paid off. In football you must take risks if you want to win,” he added.