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In an exclusive interview, Eric Dier tells Sky Sports how Tottenham has more depth, maturity and pragmatism with José Mourinho.
Tottenham will go to Chelsea on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports, in a battle between two of the fittest teams in the Premier League. Spurs are unbeaten in eight and have conceded just eight goals since their opening day loss to Everton.
Mourinho seems to have made his mark on this Tottenham team, and his win over Manchester City last weekend left many wondering if he could lead them to a first league title since 1961.
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When asked how the Spurs have changed with Mourinho, just over a year since he replaced Mauricio Pochettino, Dier also revealed that increased competition for places has led Spurs players to improve.
He told Sky Sports: “I would say this team is probably more pragmatic. I think we still possess many of the qualities that we had during that period. [under Pochettino]I think we’re all a little bit older, a little bit more mature, we’ve all seen a little more and are ready to do different things compared to when you were younger.
Dier: “Tough is definitely one of the words I would use to describe him and this team.”
“I feel like it’s a much more mature team, and the depth of the roster is not something that I have seen during my time here, we have incredible depth. The amount of quality that we have from the bench, and not even on the roster, is incredible.
“That competition is definitely driving things forward, and I think that’s something we struggled with in the past, not having that competition driving things forward. You want to have your own self-motivation, but you can’t deny that it’s different when it’s a big squad. , and they all lead each other.
“He is definitely putting his stamp on the club, on the team and on the players individually. He is definitely implementing the things that he wants to see. He wants us to be a representation of himself. Hard is definitely one of the words I would use to describe him. and to this team. “
Dier believes something big is happening at Spurs and revealed that the club struggled to bounce back from their Champions League final loss to Liverpool in 2019, viewing this season as a clean slate.
Dier and Spurs go to Chelsea in a battle between two of the fittest teams in the Premier League
“[Is something happening here?] It definitely feels like this. We had a very bad season last season, after the final of the Champions League I think it was very difficult to come back from that, after being so close to something so great.
“When the next season came around, I felt like the whole club was not ready for it, having been in that moment and not having achieved it. Having a clean slate with the season with the coach is something completely new. Having a pre-season, though little one, with the coach, it is definitely the beginning of something new.
“Last season was a difficult time, even when the new coach arrived, it was definitely not easy. It definitely feels like we are building something new, I feel like the foundation is there, and it’s up to us to do what we want it to be.” .
Dier says he has parked the versatility to focus on his role as center-back
Dier in shape has impressed in recent weeks at the heart of Mourinho’s defense, and the 26-year-old feels he is now in a position, rather than seen as a versatile player.
When asked about his form, Dier joked: “It’s been a while! I feel very, very good. I’m happy to play where I am. I had a difficult time, mainly due to illness, but to be playing where I want to.” , playing regularly, I feel in a very good place, I believe in what I can achieve there and I am determined to do it.
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“You are always trying to improve, and I am definitely improving, this is the beginning of a new chapter for me playing in a new position.”
Asked if he has parked his versatility, he added: “I feel so. Last season I had that conversation with both coaches, and I made a commitment, I felt that it was the right moment. My feeling is that the center-back is where I have always felt that I can be. in my prime, and there’s still a lot more to come from me in that position, but I’m very happy to be there now, and I’m just focused on that. “
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