There's no doubting that Dier has had a good season playing as a defensive midfielder. His presence in the midfield has been a factor in our improved defensive record without question, and his ability to drop and form a back three allows our FBs to push on as wingers. I also get the impression that he has a strong mentality and is probably one of the leaders we have, at only 22 years old
However, I do believe that his long-term position is at CB....
There are a lot of occasions during matches where his lack of ability and composure on the ball is evident. He often attempts Alonso-esque switches of play which mostly miss their intended destination. But even more importantly when the midfield area is crowded he doesn't have the ability to bypass the press, and gets caught on the ball or gives it away
The fact that we have two ball playing CBs behind him at all times helps him a lot I feel. And it goes both ways because Dier's physicality helps the CBs out of possession so it works well. But in football he's not always going to be in the situation whereby he can trust both his CBs to receive it quickly and also build play from the back. If you watch our build up play it rarely goes through Dier, which is fine, but often a DM has this responsibility
In Europe this season I think he's been less impressive, and I also feel that if he starts in midfield for England at the Euros he'll struggle. International football and European football is even more possession based and you have to be good with the ball. With the likes of Cahill and Smalling behind him and Henderson and Milner alongside him he will struggle without doubt
To concede for his lack of ability on the ball I would also expect better defensive stats if I'm honest, though I might be being harsh. Kante is averaging around 4 tackles and 4 interceptions a game (although I'm not convinced he would make it at a top club tbf). Sandro at his peak was averaging at least 3 tackles and 3 interceptions a game. Dier is making around 2 of each
This experience of playing in midfield should benefit him as a long term CB. It would have improved him in possession, as you get much more time on the ball at CB in comparison. I think Poch has a difficult choice to make in the summer, whether to spend on a quality DM and have Dier as back up in both positions or to stick with what he has. In the CL he could get found out
I find it a bit strange when he is listed as one of our best players this season. He's done a good job, don't get me wrong. But the likes of Toby, Jan, Dembele, Alli, Eriksen (yes Eriksen, he's well under-appreciated on here) and Kane have been better
Nonetheless, to Dier for his contributions this season, and it will be interesting to see what positions he ends up in
Dier is a CB long-term
posted on 17/2/16
Nobody ever gives credit for Martin jols influence on bales career. Before inter Milan trademark run down the left bale was doing it against Fulham, man united and Arsenal. Bale at 17 was changing games for us he got badly injured early on and suffered coming back under the bizarre for English football juande Ramos.
Poch has to take all the credit for dier. Dier was rubbish at sporting possibly to strong and aggressive in a small league. He had flashes of quality but really was just 4 choice at sporting behind llori at Liverpool and dier used to get hauled off all the time early on in games.
Brought by McDermott and Broomfield to replace the experienced grant hall in our under 21 side. Poch promoted dier not only successfully made dier a right back (a position he failed at sporting) poch then makes dier a defensive midfielder (a position he failed miserably at sporting). Amazing.
I prefer dier at centre back I think he will be a top quality English centre back and should certainly be partnering John stones for a few years as first choice centre backs in England. Dier could replace verts for me soon too. Verts just don't float my boat in some games too relaxed.
posted on 17/2/16
I think your right LLM, I reckon CCV, Dier and Wimmer will hopefully mature and end up leaving us with three very assured CB's. Long term planning is what we need, which the club seem to be doing well these days.
posted on 17/2/16
I didnt particularly rate Dier at CB. He did okay, but he didnt look like being a top CB like Stones does.
But at DM he has everything he needs. Good on the ball, strong in the tackle, defensive minded, organised, and doesn't require the pace most (not all) CBs require.
I think most of us doubted the decision to put him there (certainly instead of buying an experienced DM) but literally from word go he looked totally and utterly at home. Well, that decision saved us the best part £20m...
posted on 17/2/16
comment by ツ Hєи-G (U9129)
posted 7 hours, 59 minutes ago
Comparing him with Kante is a good one as we have the ball the majority of the time meaning Dier doesn't necessarily need to make tackles as much.
Lesta adopt a more sit back tackle and break quickly approach so obviously they will make more tackles per game.
I also believe the reason Dembele is having a good season is due to Dier as he can play his game with less defence responsibilities.
Though I do expect him to drop back into CB in a few years time once Toby leaves
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Was just thinking that myself. Leicester never have the ball so he'd have to make more tackles and interceptions than Dier.
posted on 17/2/16
Hengs
You mentioned that Dier could replace Alderweireld at cb when Alderweireld leaves in 3 years.
Why do you think Alderweireld will leave in three years?
posted on 17/2/16
comment by Dont cry for me Argentina we have Pochetinno and Lamela (formely avb easy as 123) (U17539)
posted 14 seconds ago
Hengs
You mentioned that Dier could replace Alderweireld at cb when Alderweireld leaves in 3 years.
Why do you think Alderweireld will leave in three years?
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Everyone leaves at some point that was just a time frame that came to mind.
Just think he'll become Toby's eventual replacement
posted on 17/2/16
I imagine the playing staff could evolve quite a bit over any 3 year period.
posted on 17/2/16
I hope it dosent, we have had far too much squad upheaval in recent years and we need to keep this squad as a main together.
Obviously over a 3 year period some will arrive and some will go but i would like to think at least 16 or 17 of the 24 man squad we have now will still be here in a few years.
posted on 18/2/16
Got a lot of unnecessary hate for this loggy. I agree, but mainly because I believe he can be a truly top quality CB whereas I don't ever see him possessing enough skill in possession to make him one of the worlds best CDMA
posted on 18/2/16
I do think you are harsh on Dier though. He has been fantastic this season at covering weak areas and stopping us being vulnerable when out of possesion.
' But even more importantly when the midfield area is crowded he doesn't have the ability to bypass the press, and gets caught on the ball or gives it away'
This is wrong in my opinion, he is very safe with possession but doesn't add much. I would be surprised if he lost possession as much as you think, but his real issue is that he isn't particularly creative. Meaning that against your 'park the bus' teams his role is sometimes meaningless.