Sky Sports pundit makes stunning claim over imminent future of Tottenham pair
Sky Sports pundit Guillem Balague says that Tottenham duo Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez can usurp the likes of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld to become the club’s best centre backs imminently.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino is blessed with having a host of options at centre back, with the Belgian pair joined by Sanchez, as well as young talent Juan Foyth, during last summer’s January transfer window.
Meanwhile utility man Dier, who is regularly played in the centre of the park as a defensive midfielder, has also played at the heart of the defence, as has Ben Davies when playing three centre backs, meaning that there are no less than six players who can operate in the position.
However, Balague has stunningly suggested that 21-year-old Sanchez and part-time centre back Dier can overtake the established and experienced Vertonghen and Alderweireld, who are both viewed as two of the Premier League’s top central defenders, as the best in the role at the club “very soon”.
Writing in a Q and A on Sky Sports’ website (16/02, 13:00), he said: “(Is Alderweireld the) best centre back in the world? I’m not sure he is.
“I personally think Eric Dier and Sanchez can be the best centre backs at Spurs very soon.”
Dier, 24, has made just 10 of his 36 appearances this season as a centre back, while Sanchez has turned out 30 times since arriving from Ajax in the summer.
Meanwhile Vertonghen has been an ever present in the club’s league games this season, missing just 30 minutes of action in his one and only substitution off, and has 35 appearances under his belt across all competitions.
In other Tottenham team news, one fringe man is set to start against Rochdale after a worrying injury blow for a senior star.
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