While Tottenham’s attack has been heralded by pundits and even described as ‘terrifying’, their defence has come under some scrutiny.
It has been suggested that Jose Mourinho’s side are not going to win the league title this season with centre-backs like Eric Dier, Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez.
Tottenham have proven some of their critics wrong since their late capitulation against West Ham last month, by conceding just one goal in their past three Premier League games.
One man who has been crucial to their turnaround is Eric Dier, who seems to have now forged a reliable partnership with Toby Alderweireld at the centre of Tottenham’s defence.
The England international has often come under criticism but he was an absolute rock at the back for Spurs at the Hawthorns, just as he was at Turf Moor a couple of weeks ago, where Spurs were subject to aerial bombardment for the majority of the ninety minutes.
Dier has shown that he is capable of going toe to toe against the league’s most physical centre-forwards and the stats certainly bare out how important the 26-year-old has been for the side.
According to PremierLeague.com, Dier has the fifth most clearances (36) in the entire league, despite playing one game less than some other defenders on the list.
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The Spurs man is also joint-top when it comes to headed clearances (25) along with West Ham’s Fabian Balbuena, while also being one of just three Tottenham players (alongside Matt Doherty and Harry Kane) to feature in the top 20 when it comes to aerial battles won.
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It is clear that the former Sporting Lisbon man’s transition to central defence has been successful and he has now established himself as an integral part of Mourinho’s backline.
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