Eric Dier hasn’t had the easiest of times at Tottenham this season.
The England international has barely played at the beginning of the season, and he was thrown in at the deep end last month after injuries and suspensions left Micky Van de Ven and Cristian Romero on the sidelines.
Dier had to play in a makeshift back four against Wolves, while he had to play against Chelsea alongside just seven other outfield players after two red cards in that game.
Speaking on The Spurs Show Podcast, David Howells has been discussing Dier’s recent run in the team, and he says he feels really sorry for the centre-back, claiming it would be a different story if he were able to come into the team and play alongside Micky Van de Ven.
Eric Dier would be better alongside Micky Van de Ven
Howells gave his verdict on the £4m man.
“If you don’t think they’re good enough and they’re not going to cope it’s a massive risk, you’d rather put them into a team that isn’t suffering so much. I felt for Eric Dier, if you put Eric Dier in alongside Van de Ven it’s a different story, but the fact we had to change both centre-halves with Eric trying to prove a point, it’s difficult for him,” Howells said.
Micky Van de Ven would make Eric Dier’s life easier
It has to be said that Dier would be much more at ease in this Spurs backline if Van de Ven were there alongside him.
Dier struggles in this Postecoglou team due to the fact they play such a high line, and that exposes his lack of pace.
However, if Dier had someone as fast as Van de Ven next to him, his lack of speed wouldn’t be such an issue, and he could just get on with his game.
Sadly, we’re yet to see that partnership in action for Spurs due to Van de Ven’s injury, but if Cristian Romero is ever injured or suspended again, playing Dier alongside the Dutchman wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world.