Eric Dier has expressed his delight at being back in the England squad and admitted that he would probably have no chance of being on the plane to Qatar if he had not been recalled by Gareth Southgate last week.
Dier was part of the squad announced for England’s upcoming Nations League clash against Italy and Germany – the first time that the Tottenham man has made the cut in almost two years.
This is also the last squad that Southgate will pick ahead of the final World Cup squad, which has to be named before November 13 (Daily Mail).
Dier celebrated his recall to the Three Lions set-up by scoring for Tottenham in their 6-2 win over Leicester on Saturday.
When asked about being back in the squad, the centre-back told The Evening Standard following the win over the Foxes: “Obviously, yeah, if I wasn’t in this [squad], then I think [that I’d have missed the World Cup]. It’s been a nice week. It would have been better if we had won in Lisbon, but it’s been a good week and a nice way to finish it off here.”
Dier revealed he had spoken to Southgate once when he was out of the squad but the defender insisted that he remained focussed on doing well for Tottenham rather than thinking about getting back into the England set-up.
The 29-year-old added: “I spoke to him (Southgate) once and, as I said, I was focussing on what’s in my control and that’s playing for Tottenham.
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“Honestly, it wasn’t really what I was thinking about [playing for England]. I was just thinking about trying to be as good a player as I could be for Tottenham and then everything else that happens as a consequence as that will happen, but I think that’s the only thing I had to focus on.
“It was the only thing that was in my control and then everything else that happens, happens.
“For me, I’m just very thankful for the way my teammates, manager and coaching staff, everyone around at Tottenham, has supported me and pushed me, and tried to help me to get back to the national team.
“I’m just looking forward to going. As my manager said during the week, for me, it’s my ambition for this to be a starting point for me. I think I can still do a lot more.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Dier has been exceptional since the start of last season and was arguably deserving of a recall a couple of squads ago. He made it impossible for Southgate to leave him out this time, and he will almost certainly be going to Qatar as his experience of major tournaments will be valuable for the Three Lions.
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