Paul Merson hasn’t been a fan of Eric Dier’s recent displays for Tottenham Hotspur.
Paul Merson – Walsall Manager
Former player and current pundit Paul Merson feels Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier is playing well below his capabilities and fears for him in the upcoming North London derby, the Daily Star report.
Dier joined Spurs in the summer of 2014, but it wasn’t until last season where he really started to show his potential, exceeding expectations in a somewhat unfamiliar holding midfield role.
The 22-year-old went on to become an England international regular, yet for Tottenham in recent weeks he has returned to playing in central defence in the absence of the injured Toby Alderweireld.
Tottenham’s Eric Dier looks dejected after the game
Merson, writing in his column for the Daily Star, hasn’t been impressed with Dier’s laid-back manner at the back and feels a repeat against Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez this weekend could cause him problems.
“The other thing that worries me about Spurs is Eric Dier. He’s too casual. He has that holding midfielder stroll now,” Merson explained.
“That’s okay when you’re playing midfield and you need to show composure. But you can’t play like that as a centre-half. If he plays there against Arsenal I don’t fancy him against Sanchez.”
Bayer Leverkusen’s Javier Hernandez in action with Tottenham’s Eric Dier
Tottenham head in to the fixture having failed to win their last three Premier League matches, while their midweek defeat to Bayer Leverkusen has dented their Champions League hopes.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino’s men have evidently missed the presence of Harry Kane upfront, but a number of other players have fallen short of expectations in recent weeks. Dier, however, certainly hasn’t impressed.
Tottenham’s Eric Dier in action with Monaco’s Radamel Falcao
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