It’s too early to rule out the possibility of an Eric Dier redemption arc

Tottenham Hotspur’s star players have returned from international duty, and in typical fashion, someone from the club’s media department is capturing their arrival. James Maddison, Richarlison, Dejan Kulusevski, and others are seen in the video wearing different hoodies, trainers, and baseball caps. They exchange pleasantries with the cameraman, offering fist bumps. The video garners 3.7 million views, which is similar to the viewership of an average episode of Eastenders.

But then, just like a thrilling Albert Square storyline, comes the cliffhanger – it’s Grant Mitchell, aka Eric Dier! He makes a comeback. Many may remember him as a great character from the past, but where has he been? In a lighthearted tone, Dier says, “No need to film me, it’s OK, I know you ain’t gonna use it.” It may not be the most dramatic finale, but it offers a glimpse into Dier’s current mindset, providing a real-life behind-the-scenes moment.

On the sidelines, Dier has remained out of the spotlight, hardly mentioned in connection with Tottenham’s impressive start to the season. However, just a year ago, Dier was one of the team’s best players in the early weeks of the season. After a long absence, he finally earned a recall to the England squad. His consistent performances over time led manager Antonio Conte to hail him as a player with the potential to become one of the world’s best center-backs, emphasizing his physicality, personality, and technical ability.

However, this season has not been kind to Dier. He has yet to play a single match for Spurs, pushed out of the starting lineup by manager Ange Postecoglou. Last season, his form took a dip, culminating in some forgettable errors as the team’s performances declined. Fans may have viewed Dier as a player who could be let go as part of a squad overhaul.

But does it really matter? Some fans may say no, given Tottenham’s chance to top the league standings. The partnership between Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven has been exciting, making Dier seem like old news. However, there may still be hope for Dier. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has also been on the fringes, but he is expected to start tonight due to the suspension of Yves Bissouma. With Davinson Sanchez’s departure and new signing Ashley Phillips considered one for the future, Dier and Ben Davies are next in line at center-back. Despite not featuring yet this season, Dier has been on the bench for three of Spurs’ last four games. When Romero was substituted early in Argentina’s win over Peru during the international break, Dier may have thought his opportunity was coming.

His chance will come eventually, and his mindset will be crucial. Although Dier may not possess great pace, there are ways to compensate for that within Postecoglou’s style. The manager has revitalized many players, and there’s no reason to think that the Dier of the second half of last season wouldn’t experience a rebirth as well.

Postecoglou praised the commitment of the players on the sidelines, noting that their strong training performances have raised the overall standard. These players push the starters to train harder to defend their spots. Dier has been training well and making himself available, and Postecoglou sees no reason to discuss his lack of playing time unless there is an issue.

It’s likely that Dier will remain a backup option who rarely sees the field until his eventual departure, either in January or next summer. However, a sudden injury or a severe dip in form could create an opportunity for him. Stranger things have happened in football, and even Dirty Den came back from the dead.

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Olivia Wilson

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