Eric Dier is relishing the role of Antonio Conte’s defensive general after helping Tottenham to Saturday’s stunning victory at Manchester City.
Spurs blew the title race open, boosted their top-four chances and completed the double over the champions with their last-gasp 3-2 win, inspired by Harry Kane.
The England captain scored twice, including a headed winner in stoppage time, and made Spurs’ opening goal for Dejan Kulusevski with a brilliant first-time pass.
While Kane took the plaudits for a sensational performance, Dier’s return from injury transformed Conte’s defence from a rabble, which shipped five goals in the defeats to Southampton and Wolves, into an impressive unit.
The centre-half says Conte has given him the confidence to become a leader and urged Spurs to use their display to kick-start their stuttering season.
“Ever since I’ve arrived I’ve always tried to implement all the skills I have,” Dier said. “I think [leadership] is definitely one of them. It’s coming to the forefront a bit more now.
“I’m really enjoying working under the manager and the confidence he has given me, and I’m really enjoying the role [in the middle of the back three] and the way I’m playing in it.
“It’s very important in that position to lead the defence as much as possible, lead the team as much as possible, be very vocal and organise well. I’m trying to do that to the best of my ability.”
Dier added: “It was a really good win for us. They are a fantastic side, probably the best in the world. For us to go there and win after the results we’ve had is really big and hopefully it can push us on.
“But this win is important only if we take it in the right way. If we recognise that if we play with that intensity, with that commitment, that unity in every game, we can really push on from this. We have to take this win in the right way, not get carried away butrecognise what we need to do as a team to get results and play well.
“We have to take it with humility and understand that as a team we can be very good.”
Dier started a League game along-side Cristian Romero (above) for only the second time under Conte, and the pair were magnificent in the face City’s sustained pressure, despite the Argentine conceding a late penalty which Riyad Mahrez converted in the second minute of stoppage time to make it 2-2.
Romero returned from a three-month absence with a hamstring injury at the start of the month, while Saturday was only Dier’s third appearance this year due to a thigh problem.
“Cristian is a top player and in every way is adapting very well to the Premier League,” Dier said. “He had a really bad injury, so he’s coming back from that, but everyone can see he’s a fantastic player. He came here on the back of already winning a Copa America for Argentina and being a standout player in Serie A. It’s enjoyable to play with him and he’s a very good guy as well.”
Dier added: “It was very frustrating to not be able to take advantage of our winter break to take care of my thigh.
“It’s the third time it has happened this season, so I gave it a bit more time and hopefully that will be the end of it now. I’m doing everything to be able to be fit. Longevity in this sport is very important and something I’m very focused on.”
