Sources: Mourinho to deploy Tottenham senior star in new role after shutdown

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24 Mar 2020, 2:30 am

Eric Dier is set to be given the chance to make the centre-back position his own at Tottenham after the enforced football break, Football Insider has learned.

The 26-year-old has spent the majority of his club and England career in a defensive midfield role but Jose Mourinho sees his future further back on the pitch.

A Spurs source has told Football Insider that Mourinho is set to deploy Dier permanently in central defence when the Premier League season resumes.

The player himself has said that is his best position and the one where he feels most comfortable going forward.

His manager agrees with that assertion and now regards him as competing with the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Davinson Sanchez, Jan Vertonghen and Japhet Tanganga for a starting spot.

Dier was in the XI for each of Spurs' two matches before football's shutdown, playing in a three-man defence against both Burnley and Wolves.

He was alongside Alderweireld and Sanchez against Burnley, and Tanganga and Sanchez against Wolves.

Dier has previously been used mainly in a defensive midfield role for both club and country, even though Mauricio Pochettino often stated he saw the Englishman eventually settling down at centre-back.

Dier has struggled for regular playing time this season, starting just 10 Premier League matches among 25 appearances in all competitions.

He has been afflicted by injuries and illnesses over the last 18 months, and was previously a virtual nailed-on starter for many seasons before then.

In other Tottenham news, it can be REVEALED that the club are in advanced talks to agree new deal after initial offer rejected.

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