Erice Dier’s display on Saturday can only be described as dire. The former Sporting Lisbon man was supposed to be the holding midfielder at the base of the diamond.
He should have asserted himself on the game and broke up the Brighton midfield. Instead, Dier was overwhelmed by Aaron Mooy and Dale Stephens.
Now both of these two are decent Premier League players having played a combined 150 Premier League games between them, but Mooy was playing for one of the worst top-flight sides ever last year.
So, Dier should have had the quality to deal with both of Brighton’s midfielders but he really struggled throughout and looked lost at times.
Brighton time after time cut through Spurs’ midfield as if it wasn’t there, and Dier should have been the one to stop the attacks, but he lacked mobility.
Dier has not played much this season, so it could be argued that he lacked match fitness, but I would say his performance on Saturday was representative of a player who has declined in both ability and confidence.
Only a few years ago, Dier was hailed by Mauricio Pochettino and seen as a key part of his side.
Now he is nowhere near the England squad, and it is unclear what he is supposed to offer to his team.
Positioned in front of the back four as a holding midfielder Dier should have swept up attacks and played the ball into Spurs’ more creative players, but he was useless, and for me, it is a sign that his time with Tottenham should come to an end.
Like other members of the Tottenham squad, Dier has become stale and should seek a move away before his career declines any further.