Spurs fans took to Twitter to slam Eric Dier after the Englishman’s disappointing performance in the 2-0 defeat by Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
The 25-year-old has been enjoying a spell in the side following the appointment of Jose Mourinho in November but was substituted at half-time against Chelsea following a dreadful first half which earned him a 5.75 rating. Although it may have been a tactical change from the Portuguese boss to try and turn the game around, Dier was one of several players guilty of giving the ball away in a poor display.
Spurs originally signed Dier from Sporting Lisbon in 2014 and the defensive-midfielder has gone on to make 223 appearances for the North London side in his five years at the club. The England international struggled for game-time under Pochettino at the beginning of the season but was immediately restored to the side by Mourinho, with the former Manchester United boss reportedly having tried to sign the Spurs man during his time with the Red Devils.
Should Eric Dier be dropped by Mourinho?
Yes
No
Reaction from Spurs fans to Dier’s performance can be seen in the tweets below.
Dier can’t continue to be played in central midfield. He has the turning circle of a lorry and no ability to take the ball under pressure and play a forward pass. I’m not anti Eric Dier. He can play CB. But NOT in midfield. It’s killing us. #AnyoneButDier #ABD
— Craig Emanuel (@crimble123) December 23, 2019
Eric Dier is not playing well but I think we have no option but to keep trying to play him into form and fitness because we have no viable DM alternative. Sissoko absolutely cannot partner him. He needs to play on the right or not at all (which Mourinho said two weeks ago!).
— Chris Miller (@WindyCOYS) December 23, 2019
I can just about put up with the others but Eric Dier should never play for Tottenham again.
If he starts again for Spurs there will be trouble
— Aidan (@Aidan63499469) December 23, 2019
I swear Eric Dier was supposed to become incredible under Mourinho. How many times has this guy got subbed at half time in such a short time under Mourinho https://t.co/D4JIxdM3sM
— ™? (@D20048) December 22, 2019
Eric Dier is such a useless footballer he only passes sideways and backwards
— Mayowa (@MayowaTinubu) December 22, 2019
Let’s be brutally honest, Eric Dier is not equipped to play in any big games for us where the opposition press. Something must’ve happened physically when he was out, because he moves like he’s underwater. IF José persists in playing him, then I have no faith in this project.
— OC Spurs (@OCSpurs1882) December 22, 2019
Dier given the ball away about 6 times already not fit to wear the shirt simple.
— Lewis Cook (@lewiscook03) December 22, 2019
These Spurs fans were clearly not impressed with Dier’s performance against Chelsea and will be hoping to see Mourinho drop the midfielder ahead of the Boxing Day game against Brighton.
What do we think?
Dier still looks to be lacking match fitness and has shown in performances against Wolves and Burnley that he can be an effective player under Mourinho. He cannot take all the blame for what was a really poor team performance by Spurs at the weekend and you would expect the Portuguese manager to stick with the £27 million rated man throughout the festive period.