Eric Dier’s future in serious doubt at Tottenham

Eric Dier won’t commit to Tottenham long term if he doesn’t get first-team playing time guarantees, putting his future at the club in serious doubt. 

The Daily Mail believes Tottenham will sell Dier well in advance of the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2020-21 season to avoid a repeat of the Christian Eriksen debacle. Dier wants more playing time and will reportedly leave for a new club if it’s not forthcoming.

The problem, however, is not with Jose Mourinho but with the player himself. The gaffer is a huge proponent and believer of the Englishman’s and did his utmost to insert the 26-year-old into Spurs’ first team.

Repeated lacklustre performances forced Mourinho’s hand, in effect marginalizing the player. And the gaffer isn’t the only one trying to give Dier the benefit of the doubt, as most supporters want to see him succeed in north London, especially after what he’s given to the club over the years.

But unless his performances improve dramatically in the near future, expect Dier to move on to pastures anew. He is in no position to demand playing time after his recent extended dip in form, and Mourinho isn’t the type of manager to concede to ultimatums. While no damaging quotes have thus far come from Dier’s mouth, his purported unrest does makes sense.

Dier, before last year’s health issues that kept him out for a long period, was an influential figure in Tottenham’s midfield, starting almost every match. When in a rich vein of form, Dier is an asset, a commodity that any team would welcome with open arms.

Even now, in the midst of a continuous malaise, Dier is wanted by a number of top flight teams. But with Tottenham’s lofty ambitions, they can ill-afford to start a player whose performances fall staggeringly short of where they need to be.