Tottenham news: Two barely-seen players are ‘the answer’ to Conte woes – pundit
Antonio Conte has found “the best” defensive partnership in Tottenham duo Eric Dier and Cristian Romero, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 28-year-old Englishman has been “sorely missed” by Spurs after time out with thigh problems.
Dier returned to the Tottenham rearguard alongside Ben Davies and Romero, making an instant impact as Conte’s side claimed an unlikely 3-2 away win over Man City on Saturday (19 February).
The duo were part of the three-man defence once again in Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to Burnley.
As quoted by the Evening Standard (21 February), Dier is “really enjoying” his role under Conte and is “trying his best” to become a leader for Spurs.
Whelan suggested Dier’s impact on the Tottenham side was clear to see.
“They’ve not played that much, Dier and Romero,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“They’ve both had injury problems. This is now the part of the season where you need to get that partnership going.
“It’s the best duo at the back – it’s the partnership you want, I’m telling you, and they are the answer. You could already see the improvement when Dier came back in. He was organising, pulling people around, telling people to mark.
“I think they’ve sorely missed him and he can certainly kick on now with Romero next to him. He’s taken some criticism, but he’s really taken up the mantle and become that leader under Conte.”
Speaking to club media (21 December), the Italian said Dier has the potential to become “one of the best central defenders in the world.”
The Burnley clash was just the third time the England international and Romero featured together under Conte.
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