Tottenham defender Eric Dier has aimed a thinly-veiled dig over teammate Son Heung-Min’s lack of inclusion in the Premier League Fans’ Player of the Year vote. It comes after the 29-year-old won the Golden Boot for finishing as the league's top scorer on the final day.
Son’s brace only added to a rampant trip to Norwich, where a 5-0 victory confirmed a Champions League place for Spurs next season over rivals Arsenal. The forward scored twice in the final 20 minutes at Carrow Road to take him level with Mohamed Salah on 23 goals for the season.
Discussing his achievements, Antonio Conte said in his post-match press conference: “But you know very well what I said during my press conference. I said ok, but before we need to get a place in the Champions League, then if there is the possibility to help Sonny to become top scorer in the league then we are very happy.
READ MORE: Every word Antonio Conte said on his Spurs future, his Daniel Levy meeting, transfers and Son
“And he scored twice and he could have scored more. But at the same time I want to underline the big effort the team did for Sonny. To see this I really appreciated the will, the desire of the team-mates to help him become top scorer.”
As outlined by the Italian, the result was the key factor for the Lilywhites, with qualification to the Champions League making huge progress for the club. It means they will receive a larger financial package, which could result in more backing for Conte in the transfer market.
However, the delight for Son was an added bonus to the side, given his desire to win the Golden Boot award. And, in light of that, teammate Dier took to social media to aim a dig at the lineup for the PFA Premier League fan’s player of the year vote.
Son was surprisingly omitted from the list, with the nominees including: Mohamed Salah, Kevin de Bruyne, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden, Declan Rice and Conor Gallagher. Dier retweeted the list, making reference to Son, and said: “23 goals (no pens).” followed by a humorous gif to underline his astonishment at his lack of inclusion.
While it may be questionable how the striker isn’t involved in the lineup, the most important thing for him, and his team, is both confirmation of a Champions League place and the Golden Boot.
