Alan Shearer insists Spurs star who has shone under Conte is not world-class 

Alan Shearer has insisted that Eric Dier is not a world-class centre-back and the Tottenham man’s weaknesses are simply not being exposed because of the system Antonio Conte employs. 

Dier had been the jack of all trades in his first several seasons at Spurs, operating as a right-back, a defensive midfielder and as a centre-back.

It was only two years ago that the 28-year-old expressed his intention to play as a central defender full-time (90 min) but the England man struggled for consistency last season.

However, the former Sporting Lisbon man has turned a corner this season and, along with Oliver Skipp, has arguably been the Lilywhites’ most consistent performer over the course of the campaign.

Antonio Conte has insisted that Dier has all the attributes to become one of the best central defenders in world football (Daily Mail).

However, Shearer disagreed with Conte’s assessment and insisted that Dier still has plenty of weaknesses in his game, pointing out that the Tottenham man struggles to cope with forwards who run in behind when playing in a back four.

The Newcastle legend told Premier League Productions (03/03/22): “There’s no doubt about it, the way Conte wants to play, the system suits him. 

“I think him, with someone either side of him, to have that freedom, to get on the ball and be that man who can ping it around.

“Also, the protection that is given to him from the midfield two. I think he needs that. That’s why, at times, we saw him struggle in that four.

“I don’t think he likes being put under pressure. I don’t think he likes being turned when you got a guy who runs in-behind.

“But, in this system that Conte likes to play, I think it suits him down to the ground. And I think he likes that responsibility that Conte has put on him also.

“You talk about world-class, no, not for me. When we talk about Dier playing in a three, there is a reason you are playing in a three because you have someone on either side of you.”

Spurs Web Opinion

We often see in football that once fans and pundits have a perception of a player, it is very difficult for the player to break it. For example, many people still keep insisting that Kane is overrated despite the striker proving them wrong over and over again.

I feel this is the case with Dier as some perceived him as not being quick enough to cope with runs in behind, which I do not think is true. The 28-year-old is actually deceptively fast, especially over the first few yards, and is hardly ever beaten for pace by any attacker.

While one can argue that he suffered from lapses in concentration last season, I also think that could have been partly down to a lack of role clarity on who picks up who while defending crosses into the box, particularly given that we were defending with so many bodies behind the ball under Mourinho.

Dier has always been a very good reader of the game and almost never loses duals. That allied with his ability on the ball makes him almost a perfect fit to play as the central sweeper in the back three. I do not think it would be possible to upgrade on the 28-year-old in that position this summer.

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