Tottenham Hotspur have reshuffled their midfield department this summer, securing the signing of Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso. The Lilywhites suffered a lot following the departure of Mousa Dembele at the start of this year while Harry Winks and Eric Dier struggled with injuries, forcing Mauricio Pochettino to rely on Moussa Sissoko.
However, the midfield reshuffle looks to have taken a toll on Dier, who is yet to make a Premier League appearance this season, despite being on the bench for three games. And this raises questions as to whether or not Tottenham should move on from Dier.
Injuries and lack of technical qualities
A holding midfielder by trade, Dier is primarily known for his robust style of play. He can disrupt the flow of the opposition with strong tackles while his aggression means he can hurry and hassle the opposing ball-carrier. It makes him quite an influential figure in the midfield press.
At the same time, Dier lacks the technical quality that is necessary for a midfielder to thrive under Pochettino’s efficient system at Spurs. The England international’s ball distribution is mostly restricted to just short passes. And most often than not, he struggles to rotate possession quickly, especially against a high press.
Aside from that, Dier has suffered from a lot of injury problems throughout his career. Last season, for example, the 25-year-old had three different spells on the sidelines that kept him out for a total of almost three months. This could be problematic for Spurs going forward as they aim to compete for the Premier League title.
The emergence of Moussa Sissoko
The resurgence of Sissoko should be the primary reason for Pochettino opting to ditch Dier. The Frenchman was entrusted with the job of deputising for the injured Dier and Winks, following their injuries last season. And he didn’t disappoint either, putting in a series of excellent performances that helped the Lilywhites finish fourth while reaching the final of the UEFA Champions League.
Sissoko’s performances earned him a regular place in the Spurs starting eleven, and he has featured in every minute this season. Most importantly, the 30-year-old astonishingly made his return to the French national team.
An opportunity for the youngsters
Dier’s potential departure away from Tottenham will pave the way for youngsters like Winks and Oliver Skipp to play a more prominent role in the starting lineup. Winks has already become a vital member of the Tottenham midfield. But, Dier’s departure will only take the pressure off the youngster, making him the club’s primary number six.
Skipp, on the other hand, is expected to make his breakthrough this campaign after putting in a few excellent displays last season. He is only 18 and has a lot of room to improve. But, he needs gametime to ensure healthy development. And that’s where Dier’s departure could really be useful as it will offer youngsters the opportunity to impress.
