Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier has hailed new Spurs boss Jose Mourinho for helping turn around the mood at the club since his arrival last month.
The 25-year-old claimed that starting from scratch under the new regime has been quite freeing for the squad.
Speaking to the Express, the Spurs star said, “Of course you start from scratch with someone. It is very different. There is no history and a freedom in that.
“I am really enjoying it, enjoying playing and feel with every game I am feeling better and better.”
While Mourinho is extremely popular all around the world, he is understandably an even bigger celebrity in his home country being the most successful manager to come out of Portugal.
Dier, who came through the ranks at Sporting CP’s academy before moving to Spurs, knows only too well of the 56-year-old’s reputation back home and spoke of the honour of having the opportunity to play for him.
He said, “We have spoken a lot – both in English and Portuguese! His mentality appeals to me and it is very special.
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“Having grown up in Portugal to go from what he was doing at the time to now be playing under him is very special.
“I was a kid at the time but he was a very big thing so it is special to be working for him.
“It is natural that we have that connection but it is nothing more than that and up to me to perform. I know that if I do perform, like I know I can, I will be able to play.”
The midfielder also revealed that he was eyeing a place in England’s Euro 2020 squad and insisted that he was confident he could make the squad if he performs well for the club.
He added, “That is my motivation (to make England’s Euro 2020 squad). My motivation is to firstly play well for Tottenham.
“To play and play well. And by doing that, I know everything else will take care of itself and fall into place.”
Spurs Web Opinion
It certainly sounds like the relationship between Pochettino and many of the players had gotten stale towards the end. It is visible from the performances so far that the players are playing with a lot more freedom. I was particularly impressed with Dier’s display against Burnley as there were clear signs that he was getting back to his best.
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