What happens to the Tottenham Hotspur player in purgatory?

As Tottenham works tirelessly to purchase a first-choice centre-back, the question that must have crossed your mind, if only fleetingly, is what happens to Eric Dier.

Much has been said about the long-serving Tottenham servant, mainly with a harshly negative connotation. I’m the first one to admit to Dier’s many downfalls. Up and down like a Brixton stripper, Dier often makes the fundamentals look complicated.

His propensity for inconsistency and harebrained blunders are enough to make a middle-aged Brit get his chest waxed, which is one of the several reasons most expect the 29-year-old to lose his starting job.

I’m on board with the majority.

He should lose his job for costing Tottenham a bunch of important points over the last three seasons.

Dier went through distressing personal tumult a few years ago, struggling with lingering and recurring injuries, which kept him from reaching his peak for an extended period.

Previous to that unfortunate 18-month period Dier was a hot commodity. In 2017, Bayern Munich wanted to buy Dier for about £50 million. Imagine that.

If we’re lucky, he’s probably worth a third of that.

Unfortunately, six years later, the time has run its course for Dier in north London. A part of me will be sad to see him go after almost 10 years at the club, but the other part will be elated not to go through any more match-defining mistakes.

But will he leave this summer? Probably not.

Like Harry Kane, Dier’s contract expires at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. Also, like Kane, Dier will probably stay at Tottenham until he’s free to walk for free.

If the scenario plays out, that should motivate Dier to impress Ange. Maybe, just maybe, Dier can retain his starting spot at the heart of the defence.

Though I doubt it.

Regardless, a year with Dier as a depth player doesn’t sound so bad. He’s a popular figure in the locker room and adores the club. He also shows moments of brilliance and worked his way back, albeit briefly, into the international fold not so long ago.

Spurs supporters should wish him the best of luck, whatever happens.

Suppose Dier somehow finds a way to cut the malignant-natured inconsistency out of his game. In that case, he can positively impact on-pitch proceedings, increasing his value on the open market when his contract expires.

If, on the other hand, he’s sold. I say farewell, and Spurs supporters, hopefully most of us, will miss you.

Not the insufferable errors and intolerable inconsistency, but pretty much everything else.