Martin Keown claims Tottenham star Eric Dier is playing in the wrong position

Martin Keown has insisted that Eric Dier needs to be moved from a midfield role into a defensive position.

The 26-year-old played in defence earlier in his career, but has made a name for himself as a central midfielder and been a part of the Spurs team in that role in recent years.

He’s also earned 40 senior caps for England in a defensive midfield position and it’s only recently his progress has stalled.

Dier has played in just 20 appearances across all competitions this season and lost his spot in the team under manager Jose Mourinho.

The Daily Mail has reported that he’s reluctant to sign a new Spurs deal until he gets reassurances over his minutes and that could lead to the club selling him in the summer.

Former England and Arsenal defender Keown is adamant that Dier could reinvent himself as a quality centre-back, something he’s urged Mourinho to consider.

“Dier I feel is a really very good player but he’s playing in the wrong position,” Keown told talkSPORT.

“He should be playing in central defence I’ve been saying it for so long. If ever I saw a player with all the necessary qualities to play central defence it was him. He’s got power, pace, mobility, very good in possession.

“It’s made him a much better player playing in midfield, but it’s now time to move into central defence. To do things quicker with a little bit more urgency and don’t be as casual. And I think there is a very good central defence in there. In fact if I was Mourinho I’d be saying you’ve got to play him there.

TBR’s View:

Dier hasn’t consistently performed in midfield for a long time in a Spurs shirt and perhaps he would be best dropping into a deeper role.

He’s a versatile star that has the qualities to do it and the Mail’s report explains that the player himself wants to play in defend.

It seems like a no-brainer to at least give him one more shot to salvage his Spurs career with some games in the heart of defence, as at his age he should be entering the peak of his career not leaving it.

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