Eric Dier: We will miss this in-form Tottenham ace after shattering blow
By Will Butcher
Eric Dier believes Tottenham will severely miss playmaker Dele Alli after UEFA handed him a ban for three European matches.
Alli, 20, was sent off back in February for a dreadful lunge on Gent midfielder Brecht Dejaegere during the second leg of their Europa League tie in February, which Spurs drew 2-2.
The former MK Dons midfielder has been in sublime form this season, scoring 17 goals in all competitions as well as providing eight assists but will now miss three European matches.
Dier was devastated to hear of his England teammate’s ban, but told talkSPORT that he believes Alli will learn from the mistake in the future.
“Dele’s a great player, you all know that. We’re going to miss him like any team would but that’s football,” Dier said.
“He is young and will learn from that mistake. He knows it was a mistake. How many 20-year-olds have made mistakes? I am sure he will learn from it.”
Spurs will likely finish in the top four of the Premier League this season and qualify for the Champions League again.
The top three of England’s top flight immediately qualify for the group stages of the Champions League, meaning Alli could miss half of Spurs’ 2017-18 group stage encounters.
Dier and Alli could team up for a second time in a week as they remain on international duty with Gareth Southgate’s England side, after starting in the Three Lions’ 1-0 loss to Germany.
England go up against European minnows Lithuania in the 2018 World Cup qualifying phase on Sunday, as they look to remain at the top of Group D.
In other Tottenham news, Spurs are reportedly looking to complete a £15million deal this week.
We’ve launched a << BREAKING NEWS FEED>> exclusively for your club. ‘Like Us’ on Facebook by clicking here if you want 24/7 updates on all Tottenham breaking news.