England have been dominant in each of their three opening group matches, with the Spurs pair impressive, but have just one win to their name.
England’s Kyle Walker in action
England and Newcastle United legend and pundit Alan Shearer has been giving his opinions on England’s opening few matches in the European Championships to BBC Sport, and though he had some critical words for Roy Hodgson and his group, he was complimentary for a trio of players.
And as a further good sign of the development of Tottenham into a title challenger and key supplier of talent for the Three Lions, two of the players Shearer picked are from White Hart Lane, Eric Dier and Kyle Walker.
England’s Eric Dier celebrates after scoring
Though Shearer admitted finishing second in Group B, and failing to beat Russia and Slovakia were disappointments, he was able point to a few reasons to be optimistic ahead of the knockout stages, even if doing so exposed what he felt was Hodgson’s biggest problem.
“There have been some positives,” Shearer told BBC Sport. “Our best three players so far have been Walker, Rooney and Dier, who I thought was superb with his range of passing against Slovakia.
“But, in terms of positions, they are a full-back and two midfielders – one of them holding – which sort of sums up where England’s problems have been in this tournament – in attack.”
England’s Wayne Rooney
With England captain Wayne Rooney the third individual former hotshot Shearer praised, it is clear as to just how well Tottenham paid Dier and Walker are playing, even if the 45-year-old is right in his querying of England’s inability to convert pressure into goals.
Dier has impressed in all three matches, while Walker was rested against Slovakia after superb performances against Russia and Wales.
However, unless another couple of Spurs stars, Harry Kane and Dele Alli, as well as the likes of Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge, improve, England may be in danger of slipping up in what is shaping to be a formidable half of the draw in the latter stages.
Hodgson’s side have been rarely troubled at the tournament so far, but with the likes of Germany, Spain and Italy all in their half of the draw, there will be tougher tests, and meaner defences ahead.
England head coach Roy Hodgson
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
