Harry Redknapp has backed Eric Dier to become world-class and stated that the Tottenham player already has ‘outstanding ability’, as he told talkSPORT.
The former Spurs was responding to comments from Antonio Conte where he stated that Dier can become ‘one of the best’ in the world and Redknapp feels that should give him ‘all the confidence’.
Even though Dier’s error yesterday led to West Ham equalising during their League Cup quarter-final win, all in all, he has had a very strong season at the back.
The 27-year-old, who was born in England but moved to Portugal as a child to learn his footballing trade, was a regular in a back three under Nuno Espirito Santo as well.
Some would question whether this will lead to Dier earning an England re-call in 2022, well given he was a regular under Gareth Southgate before, he has every chance of making that cut again.
Nonetheless, Redknapp backed Dier to hit the world-class bracket and spoke about the hard-hitting defender being able to play in various positions.
“That should give you all the confidence in the whole world,” said Redknapp. “He seems to have settled into that centre-half position.
“He chopped and change, midfield and centre-half. But he obviously has outstanding ability to be able to play in both positions anyway.
“He played in midfield for England for a spell at the back, he looks comfortable, at the moment.
“And there is every chance he could become a top, top centre-back. He is already a good one, that’s for sure.”
Mauricio Pochettino purchased some gems during his time at Spurs and paying Sporting Lisbon only £4 million for Dier (Daily Mail) was one of them.
Things did go in the wrong direction, form and playing-wise, for Dier just before Pochettino left, but he picked things up under Jose Mourinho.
To the surprise of nobody, he was a favourite under the Portuguese and is now seemingly being well-liked by Conte.
When summer signing Cristian Romero returns from injury, he will be hoping to form a regular and long-term partnership with Dier at the back, with possibly Ben Davies taking the role on the left side of the three.
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