Fans of West Ham have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which relays reports that the club are interested in making a move for Tottenham’s Eric Dier this summer.
According to reports in the Daily Star (via Hammers News), West Ham are interested in the Spurs midfielder, who only has one year left to run on his current deal in North London.
In reaction to the report, which was relayed by West Ham News on Twitter, fans of the club have flocked to have their say on the matter, with many claiming that the signing of Dier could indicate that Declan Rice will be leaving West Ham, while others have simply stated their belief that Dier is not good enough for their side.
Do you think West Ham should sign Eric Dier this summer?
Yes
No
Backpage of the Daily Star tomorrow links West Ham wirh Eric Dier……thanks but no thanks. We don’t need a poor man’s Rice pic.twitter.com/fNvb7bty0N
— West Ham News (@WHUFC_News) April 11, 2020
If and when Declan Rice leaves West Ham, we need to find a player of top quality to try and overcome the massive hole his absence will leave – Eric Dier is definitely not the answer, despite being available for a cheap price. Dier would be a massive step back.
— Josh Verrills (@WestHamJoshV) April 12, 2020
Awful player!
— AllSportsView (@AllSportsView) April 12, 2020
We do if Rice is being sold
— A-Ron ? (@AaronPStephens) April 12, 2020
To replace Rice who is off to @ChelseaFC l believe…..
— ?? Edgware Bubbles ?? (@KillerHeels_UK) April 12, 2020
Only reason this woul be true would mean rice going
— jack desborough (@jackdezy) April 12, 2020
Means that Rice is off soon ?
— Jake Ruscoe (@JakeRuscoe1) April 12, 2020
What do we think?
While Eric Dier is a versatile player, capable of operating from either central midfield or central defence and still just 26 years old, the general consensus would appear to be that the Spurs midfielder is a man in decline, and after looking at his stats, the general consensus could well be right.
Since the 2015/16 Premier League season, Dier’s appearances for Spurs in the league have decreased, from playing 37 games in the 15/16 season compared to just 20 last term.
However, it is not just the quantity of time that the £18 million-rated defensive midfielder is spending on the pitch that is in decline, but also the quality of his contributions while he is playing.
According to WhoScored, Dier’s best season in the Premier League was indeed the 2015/16 season, in which he averaged a match rating of 7.06. However, since then, his rating slipped to 6.93 in the 2016/17 season, before falling to 6.74 last term, and even further to 6.63 this season.
As such, it would appear that the West Ham fans are justified in their claims that Dier may be an inferior replacement for any potential Rice exit.