The highlight of the weekend in terms of games, Chelsea-Tottenham didn’t disappoint, as Spurs walked home with all three points thanks to a Dele Alli masterclass.
It was all about the midfield on Sunday, as the Englishman walked away with two goals after Christian Eriksen equalised, but we must not forget those providing the more creative players with defensive stability, and, under Mauricio Pochettino, that nearly always means Eric Dier.
Starting 29 games from a possible 32 in the league, the defensive midfielder is one of the first names on the team sheet at Tottenham, and doesn’t look like he’s going to go anywhere anytime soon.
Despite making it to the big-time after his move to Spurs from Sporting CP back in 2014, the 24-year-old doesn’t forget where he came from and where he grew up, and that’s Portugal.
Speaking to SFR Sport before the game on Sunday, the 25-time capped England international said: “I know it’s a strange story, it’s not very normal. It’s something I’m very proud of, proud of the way I grew up, of growing up in Portugal and living there. I see it as my home, and I’m very proud to say that.
“I enjoyed every minute growing up there with my family over there. The same for Sporting CP as well, the way they looked after me from a young age, from when I was eight until 20 was incredible, and Sporting CP is like my home and I’m very proud to have come from there”.
The defensive midfielder/centre-back only made 32 appearances for the Liga NOS side prior to his move to White Hart Lane, yet that, along with his time in the youth leagues, was enough to convince Daniel Levy and co. he was an investment worth making.
A simple £4.5m bid later, and the rest is history.
