Tottenham Hotspur star Eric Dier was deployed as a central defender against Manchester City in the Premier League last weekend.
Dier is a versatile player who can operate as a central defender or as a defensive midfielder.
The 23-year-old England international has been on the books of Spurs since the summer of 2014 when they joined from Sporting Lisbon for a transfer fee reported by BBC Sport to be worth £4 million.
The youngster was deployed as a central defender by Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino during the Premier League game against Manchester City last weekend.
Pep Guardiola’s side hammered Spurs 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium to pretty much demolish the North London club’s chances of winning the Premier League title this season.
Former Arsenal star Merson is critical of Dier playing as a central defender, and has also stated that Tottenham are missing Belgium international centre-back Toby Alderweireld, who is injured at the moment.
Merson wrote in The Daily Star: “I looked at that Spurs line-up and gave them no chance. You can’t win at City with Eric Dier at centre-back. He’s too casual.
“He’s a good holding midfielder but a very average centre-back. They are really missing the injured Toby Alderweireld, because he’s the best defender in the world for me.
“And without Victor Wanyama, they had nobody to win the ball back. I’m not surprised they lost. They were never going to win with that team.”
Tottenham will take on Burnley away from home at Turf Moor in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
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