With reports that AC Milan are interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eric Dier in a potential January swap deal for Franck Kessie, Spurs fans seem split over whether the North London outfit would be any better off with the Ivory Coast international over the Englishman.
Calciomercato.it reported earlier this week that Milan are targeting a new supporting cast in the winter as a priority, with the Rossoneri leadership keen to make a more harmonious squad at the San Siro after the struggles endured under Marco Giampaolo.
Milan’s need to balance incomings for Financial Fair Play has led AC chiefs to consider a move for Dier, as he is expected to be transfer listed by Spurs (The Times) in January, with Mauricio Pochettino planning a clear-out of players he deems to be underperforming in a side that has lost on more occasions than it has won since February.
Spurs have held an interest in Kessie in the past, as well, and Milan feel this could open the door for them to strike a swap deal with Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy that would see the Ivory Coast international replace Dier in North London, along with a financial package heading to Italy.
If the Rossoneri were to offer such an offer to Levy, many Tottenham supporters appear keen to see their Chairman accept the deal.
Here are some of the messages shared:
If we turn that offer down, we don’t deserve to be a football club
— ??Ethan?? (@ethanthfc99) October 10, 2019
If this is true, then it’s a good swap.
— Jorge Sensei (@gamaliel_gam) October 10, 2019
Dier is no where near good enough to take us to the next level, we need to stop relying on players that just don’t have the ability to do the job properly
— Emmanuel Oyesile (@EmmanuelOyesil2) October 10, 2019
This makes very little sense for them but if they want Dier they can have him.
— Spooky ? (@DaveCharging) October 10, 2019
Holy mother of god. Nobody wants to buy dier and these guys want to change for kessie. I’ll take that any day of the week
— Mauricio?? (@MalteThfc) October 10, 2019
Although, while many Tottenham supporters would be happy to part ways with Dier and some cash in order to sign Kessie, there are some fans that would not oppose retaining the 40-cap England international as he still ‘has a part to play’ in the North London outfit’s efforts to win a first trophy since the 2008 League Cup.
They have justified this view by the fact that Dier is still only 25-years-old, so has years still ahead of him, and has years of experience in his past in a variety of positions, too.
Since joining Spurs from academy side Sporting CP in 2014, Dier has amassed 213 first-team appearances for Tottenham (TransferMarkt), in which he has started 65 games as a centre-half, 20 at right-back and earned regular international recognition with England.
Others have also questioned if Kessie would be the natural defensive midfielder replacement needed for someone of Dier’s ilk.
I’d love kessie at spurs, but I still think dier has a part to play. Would rather have them both
— Jim Halton (@James75149591) October 10, 2019
Jesus, the lack of respect for Dier on here, he’s 25, has played over 40 games for England and can play in 2/3 positions. Short memories some of you lot as when we were at our best 3 years ago he played every week. Maybe some of this negativity is why he’s struggling for form.
— David Coster (@davidcoster) October 10, 2019
If we need a solid CDM or DM let’s go for either Florentino Lius, Sander Berge or Ibrahim Sangare ,Yes kessie is good but he is more of a central midfielder. Swapping Dier for Kessie will be disrespectful to the type of player Dier is , Also would show no ambition from the club.
— Dickson Kalumba (@Dickson72004800) October 10, 2019
Given the questions over Kessie’s abilities to be the defensive midfielder, some Spurs fans have suggested the 22-year-old would be a more natural alternative to Moussa Sissoko in a box-to-box central midfield role.
It has been a position where the 27-time Ivory Coast international has featured in for 100 of his 102 outings with Milan to date (TransferMarkt), while he only recorded an average 1.3 successful tackles per ninety minutes in the Serie A last season to 1.9 dribbles, 1.5 shots and 1.3 key balls (WhoScored).
Dier, meanwhile, penned 3.2 attempted tackles per ninety minutes in the Premier League last term, along with just 0.5 shots, 0.4 dribbles and 0.5 key balls.
Instead pay Thomas partey release clause of only 28 million. I bet our chief scout doesnt know who he is or about that low clause
— Shreyas Rao (@Spurs_Shreyas) October 10, 2019
Kept an eye on Kessie for a few years. He is more similar to Sissoko than Dier. He is good pushing forward and decent in protecting the back line but not a true DM like Dier. If we shed Wanyama and Dier and pick up Kessie we will leak more goals but our midfield will be dynamic.
— Aaron Pitters ?????? (@aaronpitters) October 10, 2019
I would only take him as a replacement for Sissoko….
— My Guy Tanguy (@thabomariri) October 10, 2019