Paul Robinson has intimated that Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez and Ben Davies aren’t good enough as a back-three to propel Tottenham Hotspur up the Premier League standings.
Antonio Conte’s were brought back to Earth by Chelsea yet again on Sunday.
The Blues beat Tottenham for the third time in January after winning both Carabao Cup semi-final legs earlier in the month.
It ended 2-0 at Stamford Bridge and honestly, the Lilywhites, despite refereeing complaints, just aren’t at Chelsea’s level.
It has been widely reported that Tottenham manager Conte has been left frustrated by a failure to sign players in January.
The most talked-about target is Adama Traore and that’s an addition that is ‘likely’ to materialise before deadline day, according to The Athletic.
But according to former Spurs goalkeeper Robinson, the North Londoners also need central defenders – and more than one due to Cristian Romero’s injury.
He told Stadium Astro: “The three players at the back – Sanchez, Dier and Ben Davies – none of them play as a top-class centre half. Eric Dier doesn’t play in midfield because he’s not at that level.
“He plays in the middle of a back-three because he’s got protection either side of him. Romero’s the best defender Spurs have got and he’s injured. That area is something he’s got to look at in January.”
Harsh on Dier
Honestly, yes.
Say what you like about Dier under Jose Mourinho and toward the end of Mauricio Pochettino’s reign as Tottenham manager.
But under Conte, he has been looking a totally different player and one that probably deserves more respect than Robinson has offered him here.
The truth is that if Spurs’ midfield is overun – which it was in West London – then the central defence are always going to be tested far more frequently and without the 28-year-old, it could’ve been worse.
Remember, Dier is only back from a three-week layoff due to injury too.
He has arguably been the Lilywhites’ best player under Conte as a whole and intimating that he isn’t good enough is harsh.
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