A year on centre-back Eric Dier still on Spurs radar

English born Sporting centre-back Eric Dier is a player Spurs have been watching for a few years now and will not be a new name to my readers.

A year on centre-back Eric Dier still on Spurs radar


Last March I wrote an article about him and then again in September last year when we were still having him watched.

Eric Dier 19 year-old to watch

He joined Sporting (formerly Sporting Lisbon) when he was 9 and has captained all their age groups through the academy that produced Ronaldo, Figo, Moutinho and Nani. He can play centre-back, right-back or defensive midfield so has the versatility that appeals to Spurs.

He is established in Gareth Southgate's England Under 21 side and has a maturity beyond his years having to grow up fast as he recalls.

“It was a massive jump. I’d been living at home, and I was now changing from an English-language school to a Portuguese school, so my life was all in Portuguese. 

"It was hard at times, but after a bit it just became normal, being with my new mates, having lessons in the Portuguese school during the day and training at the academy.”

With his desire to play in the Premier League Dier has still not signed any extension to his contract that Sporting have been trying to get him to do for a year so they can insert a hefty release clause (£38.02 million).

As you would expect he is good with the ball at his feet, is an excellent tackler and at 6' 2" (1.88m) is good in the air. He reads a game very well and has the ability to take the ball of an attacker without having to resort to fouling him, indeed he hasn't even been booked this season.

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He broke into the Sporting team in the 2012/13 season and because of injuries moved from centre-back to defensive midfield. This season he has made 14 appearances totalling 901 minutes (10 games) in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

Now 20 he is valued around £4 million. With our problems at centre-back he is an option to consider but would perhaps need more experience before he were to be considered for a regular slot at the heart of the Tottenham defence.