Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson has backed Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier to make England’s World Cup squad amid his form in the absence of Cristian Romero.
Romero has missed each of Spurs’ last two games with a hamstring injury.
Dan Kilpatrick has stated that the Argentine will not return prior to the upcoming World Cup meaning Eric Dier may have to continue on the right of a back three like he did in Marseille.
The 28-year-old is consistently used in the centre of the trio in Antonio Conte’s system but Robinson believes he has shown his ability to play across the back and should be a shoo-in for his country.
He told Football Insider:
“Eric can play anywhere across the back three.
“He was excellent on the right-hand side against Bournemouth when he came on.
“I think he’s started predominantly in the middle because the team has been doing so well with him there. He has been one of the most consistent players.
“I have no qualms with him playing on the right-hand side of that back three though.
“I’m adamant Gareth Southgate is going to pick him for the World Cup. If England choose to play a three at the back then Dier should start regardless of where it is across that back three.”
TIF Thoughts on Robinson’s comments…
Will Dier go to the World Cup?
Yes
No!
Dier is a 47-time England international but hadn’t featured in almost two years before receiving a call up for the September internationals as a reward for his fine start to the season with Tottenham.
He played every minute against both Italy and Germany looking ‘calm and assured’ upon his return to the Three Lions set-up.
Last week was the first time the 6 ft 1 beast wasn’t in Conte’s starting line-up in the league having played all but 20 minutes off the club’s games prior to the Bournemouth trip.
He has been the side’s best-performing defender with an average of a 6.8 match rating (WhoScored) and we would agree with Robinson that he has certainly shown that he is worthy of a seat on the plane to Qatar.