Compatriots complement each other well at heart of Tottenham midfield

Harry Winks and Eric Dier complemented one another well at the heart of Tottenham’s midfield against West Ham, providing a sound blueprint for Jose Mourinho. 

It’s been a long time since Dier walked off the pitch proud of his overall performance. Fortune hasn’t favoured the Englishman in the last year. Plagued by injuries and sickness, it’s been a gruelling way back for Dier.

Now fully match fit, Dier was noticeably charged for today’s match. While he’s still noticeably off the pace of a top flight match, the 25-year-old showed glimpses of how incredibly integral he can be to Tottenham. His passing was misguided, at times wayward, but more time in the first 11 will help solve that issue.

Jose Mourinho is a massive proponent of Dier’s. He wanted him at Manchester United and believes wholeheartedly in the Englishman’s ability. Mourinho is adamant Dier can be as good as Fabinho in one of the most important roles on the pitch.

The feeling is mutual. Dier holds Mourinho in the highest esteem and remembers vividly following the gaffer from his early years in Portugal.

His positional nous combined with the tackling ability of a centre back makes for a formidable force. Dier, with increased confidence and more match time, has the potential to dominate in the holding role, by far his best position. He is also blessed with leadership qualities, traits of a future captain. And we must remember he’s still only 25 years old.

More reinforcing is the way Dier combined with Winks at the London Stadium. Dier’s stability and discipline freed Winks, who sprayed the ball with deadly accuracy and purpose. The young whippersnapper also drove forward with pace, pushing West Ham’s collective back.

The tacit understanding between the two was impressive, both of whom played with the confidence regulars in the England team should embody. Dier has understandably fallen out of the England scene, but it shouldn’t be too long before he is once again on Gareth Southgate’s radar.

As long as Dier knows his role and plays to his best attributes, he can be incredibly impactful. Being responsible and disciplined will allow Winks the freedom to dictate possession, something nobody expects from Dier.

Of course Dier is nowhere near the player he was about 18 months ago, but promising signs pervade. Fingers crossed he continues — with the gaffer’s unparalleled support — to do the fundamentals well. Because his progression is key to Spurs’ long-term defensive success.