Agbonlahor claims frail Spurs man Dier easy to get at

Pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor says that he has “never really rated” Eric Dier as a centre-back and called on him to spend a period of time out of Tottenham’s team.

Dier, who made his name as a midfielder, stepped into defence for the first time in last season’s 3-2 loss to Wolves.

Spurs boss Jose Mourinho (via Goal) hailed the England international’s performance that day last March.

But while he has had further strong moments alongside the likes of Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld, he has also faced criticism this season.

Indeed, his error played its part in the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea last month. What’s more, Mourinho said earlier this season that the 27-year-old had suffered from a “crisis of confidence”.

Dier himself rejected those claims, but according to Agbonlahor, the Englishman still does not have the capabilities in defence.

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Asked by Football Insider if he should take time out of the lineup, he said: “I actually do, to be honest.

“I’ve never really rated Eric Dier as a centre-half. I look at him and he’s the perfect centre-half I would have loved to have played against. You can get in the channels, get in behind him – he hasn’t got the pace.

Agbonlahor also insisted that Colombia international Sanchez and Alderweireld are better centre-halves than Dier.