Victor Wanyama and Eric Dier have been linked with a move away from Tottenham this summer after falling down the pecking order under Mauricio Pochettino, but Wanyama’s impending move to Club Brugge could see the latter staying.
Dier finds himself behind Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso, Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks in midfield, but he’s unlikely to be sold in the same window as Wanyama – Pochettino can’t afford to leave himself short on options in the engine room.
The 25-year-old is a much more useful player than Wanyama. Dier can provide cover for Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Davinson Sanchez and Juan Foyth at centre-back. He can also deputise for Kyle Walker-Peters and Serge Aurier at right-back.
Injuries have halted Dier’s progress in 2019. The £60k-per-week England international suffered appendicitis, had a hip injury and correctional surgery on a problem that was detected during summer medical assessments. Nevertheless, he is an effective player when fit and is worth keeping.
Pochettino isn’t blessed with a lot of depth, particularly in defence and central-midfield, so it makes sense that Dier would stay if Wanyama leaves. There are no fresh reports suggesting Tottenham are trying to offload both players now either.