Frank Lampard: This is Eric Dier's best position for Tottenham

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

Published on:

09 Apr 2017, 5:59 am

By Harry Sykes

Frank Lampard is convinced that Eric Dier's best position is in central midfield.

The versatile Tottenham player has been switched between defence and midfield since joining the club from Sporting Lisbon in the summer of 2014.

Dier spent his first season in defence before being moved forward last season into the anchorman role that he made his own as Spurs secured third place in the Premier League.

The England international has reverted back to predominantly playing in defence this season, although he has been criticised by supporters for making a number of errors.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino binned the three-man centre-back system that has served Tottenham so well in recent week to play Dier in central midfield on Saturday and he thrived as they romped to a 4-0 demolition of Watford.

Asked where he thinks Dier's best position is, former midfielder and Premier League all-time great Lampard gave an emphatic response.

"I like him in midfield, I think that's his best position for me, as that holding midfield player, where he played for England at the Euros and where he is most confident," Lampard told Sky Sports 1's Goals on Sunday programme.

"There is responsibility of playing at the back. He is quite a young player and can make mistakes in midfield. His energy is great and he's quick in the tackle.

"I've watched him at the back a couple of times. He needs to mature a bit as a player and then he can do both roles. At the minute, in midfield."

Dier has started 27 of Spurs' 31 Premier League matches this season as well as seven of their eight European fixtures.

He is a first-team regular but there remains a debate about whether he could be a regular in central midfield, given the combination of Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele has proved so successful this season.

In other Tottenham transfer news, the London giants have won the race to sign a 32-goal striker who has taken the league by storm.

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.

Tottenham Hotspur

Eric Dier