Jose Mourinho is hoping to transform Eric Dier back into a central defender when football returns later this month, according to the Daily Star.
Dier joined Spurs in 2014 from Sporting CP as a centre-back with the ability to play at right-back too (Transfermarkt). In fact, the youngster scored on his debut playing as a full-back against West Ham United.
However, the 2015/16 season saw Dier excel in a new role under Mauricio Pochettino, acting as a central midfield shield ahead of the defence.
Earlier this year, Dier admitted he feels his best position is in defence.
“That’s the position [defence] I see myself playing, that’s where I see my future,” he told the Evening Standard.
Dier featured and impressed in the Spurs defence against Norwich City in the FA Cup defeat on penalties before football was suspended (BBC).
Mourinho has been a long-term admirer of Dier, with reports claiming that the Portuguese boss was interested in the Spurs man when he was in charge at Manchester United.
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The Spurs boss is reportedly interested in bringing in a new centre-back this summer, but could also explore the possibility of a new defensive central-midfielder, according to the Daily Star.
Spurs Web Opinion
It is a shame that Dier hasn’t been able to progress in the CDM role. During the 2015/16 season, he was brilliant in the midfield, however, since then he has not quite been the same. With Jan Vertonghen seemingly having one foot out of the door, a transition to defence could work for Dier. However, it would be encouraging to see a new centre-back come in during the summer.
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