Revealed: Why Eric Dier Was Not Sold This Summer
REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Tottenham Hotspur legend Darren Anderton has revealed that the Eric Dier is still at the club due to the efforts of one man – Daniel Levy.
The former Spurs anchorman claims that Dier may well have moved to Man United this summer, had it not been for the club’s chairman. Red Devils’ boss Jose Mourinho had been in the market for a holding midfielder this summer, and was keeping tabs on the Englishman’s situation with the London club.
The Portuguese tactician was reportedly prepared to offer a large sum of around €50 million to sign the 23-year-old, but Spurs refused to enter the negotiations with the Old Trafford outfit.
Dier has lost his place in the squad to Victor Wanyama, who was terrific in his first season at White Hart Lane. As a result, the chance to be a crucial part of a United side managed by a boss like Mourinho appeared too good an opportunity to turn down.
However, Levy ensured that the player remained with the club, by holding talks with him and assuring him of his importance to the club. In the end, United ended up signing Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic instead, and Dier continues to be a Spurs player.
Speaking on the topic, Anderton told sportingbet.com: “Eric could have quite easily gone to United this year, but Levy made sure that didn’t happen, but he’ll want to play.
“He won’t kick up a fuss, but if he can go and be a regular in another team you couldn’t blame him for leaving – no matter how much he loves the club.
“He had a fantastic year before Victor Wanyama came in, so I thought the signing of Wanyama was harsh. As a player if you have a great year, you should be rewarded for that but Pochettino went out and bought Wanyama, which he probably sees as a bit of a kick in the teeth.
“Dier has got on with it though, which has meant he has been used as more of a utility player, which isn’t great for his career. Wanyama was brilliant last year so you can’t argue too much with the Pochettino.
“Dier wants to be a defensive midfielder and after playing so well for England in that position, he won’t want to play centre back, he’ll want to be a defensive midfielder.”
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