Eric Dier Hotspur HQ Most Improved Tottenham Player

As we wrap up Tottenham’s 2021-22 season, we have plenty to celebrate.

The team took on new life under Antonio Conte, and that invigorating stretch came in part through the personal improvement of a number of key players, like Matt Doherty, Ben Davies, and Ryan Sessegnon, all of whom made leaps worth discussing (and we will), but one player in particular stood out. We award the Hotspur HQ Most Improved Player prize to Eric Dier.

Dier’s improvement comes as part of a strange cycle. Just a few years ago, he seemed ready to climb to the top of the football world, factoring heavily in the Champions League club and national team.

At some point he lost his way, maybe starting with his appendicitis and subsequent illnesses. He’s fallen out of favour with Gareth Southgate for the national team and his play at Spurs became increasingly erratic, even including an altercation with a fan.

Over the past season, though, we’ve seen great strides in the right direction from Dier, who has settled into the centre spot in Conte’s back three while amassing over 3000 minutes for the club.

With a rejuvenated Davies and the arrival of Cristian Romero, Dier’s increasing comfort in the rearguard has been on display weekly. He looks more in control of the game and directs the flow with solid leadership.

His defensive miscues have decreased considerably, and he immeasurably less reckless. His tackle rates are down, but his percentage of successful pressures is up. His interception rate is at its highest since 17/18. His 141 clearances rank him ninth in the Premier League, but his clearance rates are actually down compared to the past few seasons, which isn’t a bad thing.

The stats highlight something visible in his play: an increased tactical awareness. Dier benefits from his teammates and Conte’s system, but he’s also capitalizing on the opportunity to improve his own play. His timing for pressure and positioning for cover have both become excellent aspects of his game.

Dier, though the deepest outfield player on the squad, doesn’t simply defend. His pass distribution and accuracy has improved as well. Compared to other centre backs, he’s passing more often, with a greater completion percentage and with more of those passes progressing up the field.

He splits his options across the field and with a strong completion rate on long passes opposing teams are off-balance against quick counterattacks.

In his own third, Dier has been nearly flawless with the ball, only taking risks as the team advances. It’s fundamental football, but it’s something that Dier’s improved approach has really demonstrated, allowing the team to prevent careless goals while scoring quick ones of their own.

In a positive feedback loop, Dier’s play and Spurs’ more aggressive approach (compared to the Mourinho and Nuno eras) give each other a boost.

After a stretch of struggling, Dier has learned to maintain his intensity while eliminating heedless mistakes. He provides protection for teammates while benefiting from their strengths. He looks cool and collected on the pitch now and his stats reveal that intelligent calm in a more objective setting.

For these reasons, we’re happy to call Eric Dier our Most Improved Player of the Year.

Now if someone can just have a talk with Gareth Southgate about this matter.