Tue 01 September 2020, 15:00
Tottenham HotspurFew people know Dele as well as Eric Dier - and he’s excited by what he’s seen of his friend and team-mate so far in pre-season.
Dele picked up two assists in our 3-0 win in our pre-season opener against Ipswich last week, scored a beauty in the 4-1 win over Reading on Friday and was involved in the move that led to Steven Bergwijn’s sweet strike to topple Birmingham City 1-0 on Saturday.
It’s Dele’s sixth season as a Spur - still only 24, he’s racked up 222 appearances in all competitions and 62 goals for us already - and Eric likes what he’s seeing.
“This was my first game with Dele since the restart,” said Eric after the Reading game. “I really enjoyed seeing the way he played, his energy and his work rate in and out of possession was fantastic. He scored a great goal as well.”
Eric was asked if Dele felt he had a point to prove, again, and if that would drive him on. “Coming off a difficult season for the team in general and for individuals as well, I think that can help him,” he responded.
“I think he has a lot to prove and I’m excited by what I’ve seen. It excites me to see that type of Dele. He has fantastic quality and if he plays like he did today (Reading) he’ll be in a good place.”
Eric’s performances at centre-back at the end of last season have earned a recall to the England squad for UEFA Nations League matches away to Iceland (Saturday) and Denmark (Tuesday 8 September).
The last of his 40 caps were in 2018, and he added: “I’m very happy to be in the England squad. It’s very strange having not started the league and there being a squad, but I feel I was in a very good place at the end of last season and I’ll look to carry that on now.”
