A few weeks ago it looked like Tottenham Hotspur were on the brink of a crisis of centre-back options.
Jan Vertonghen looked – and still does look – to be leaving on a Bosman, while Juan Foyth, who has since suffered a knee injury, remains out of Jose Mourinho’s plans for the time being.
As a result, Tottenham were being linked to centre-backs, including Stefan Savic and Dayot Upamecano and other players who’d cost Daniel Levy millions during the summer.
But maybe, just maybe, Jose Mourinho has a player who could save the club quite a lot of money.
Mourinho has deployed centre-midfielder Eric Dier in the heart of defence over the past two games during Project Restart.
And barring a penalty concession against Paul Pogba five days ago, Dier has looked relatively solid back there.
The Portuguese coach is known for his coaching of centre-backs, with the likes of John Terry and Raphael Varane moving to a new level whilst playing under Mourinho.
And although it’s too early to say whether Dier – who had a ‘perfect’ performance against the Red Devils according to Mourinho – could also develop into a world-class central defender, there’s some very promising signs so far.
This project could go belly up in the near future, but for now, the North Londoners need not pursue the likes of Upamecano in the hope that Dier will continue in the same vein.
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