Jamie Carragher admits he’s been ‘really impressed’ with Tottenham Hotspur ‘leader’ under Conte

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Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier hasn’t always been loved by fans but Jamie Carragher has paid tribute to the centre back.

Signed from Sporting back in 2014, Dier joined Tottenham as a promising young prospect with a fascinating background.

Dier was born in Cheltenham but moved to Portugal at a young age due to his mother taking a job in hospitality for Euro 2004.

Few players can share that background, but Dier was always bound to return to England and so it happened with Tottenham after an Everton loan spell.

Dier has now racked up more than 300 appearances for Tottenham, playing as a holding midfielder, centre back and even right back.

Now 28, Dier has been through many ups and downs with Tottenham but now finds himself as a fixture of Antonio Conte’s side.

Dier has found a home in the heart of Tottenham’s back three under Antonio Conte with Cristian Romero and Ben Davies flanking him.

Dier did also start every game under Nuno Espirito Santo earlier this season but wasn’t exactly at his best in a back four.

Now in a three-man defence, Dier looks much more comfortable and currently looks undroppable under Conte.

Jamie Carragher has now praised Dier whilst speaking to Sky Sports (03/04, 4:30pm) before Tottenham kicked off against Newcastle United.

Carragher admitted that he has been ‘really impressed’ with Dier under Conte, praising him as a leader in the Tottenham side.

“I’ve been really impressed with him,” said Carragher. “There’s no doubt that since he’s come in, Antonio Conte, he’s placed him in the middle of that back three and you look at the record with and without him, he’s definitely a leader in this team and I definitely think this back three suits him rather than playing in a back four,” he added.

Tottenham continue to be linked with new centre backs ahead of the summer transfer window.

Romero will be a fixture of the Tottenham side for years to come but Dier and Davies may be at risk of being replaced.

For now, it looks like Conte is a big fan of Dier – but whether he will remain so key as Tottenham move forward remains to be seen.