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Eric Dier's versatility delights Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino

Tottenham Hotspur's Eric Dier speaks to manager Mauricio Pochettino during the Premier League match at White Hart Lane, London. March 19, 2017.
Image: Mauricio Pochettino wants Eric Dier to keep on making himself indispensable

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has praised Eric Dier's versatility which allows the England star to impress in midfield or defence for Spurs.

Dier has been deployed predominantly as a holding midfielder this season, but may have found himself in defence more often were it not for a knee injury to Victor Wanyama.

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With midfielder Wanyama expected to be out for another three weeks and summer signing Davinson Sanchez delivering assured performances at the back, Dier is likely to continue further forward for a while longer.

The 23-year-old England international has grown accustomed to the role of utility man under Pochettino, who has used him as centre-back in both a defensive pair and trio, as well as midfield and, occasionally, right-back.

Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur and Johann Gudmundsson of Burnley battle for possession during the Premier League
Image: Dier has featured mainly in midfield for Tottenham this term

"If he in time shows he is great or one of the best in the world in one position, okay, that is fantastic for him," Pochettino said.

"But if you are a very good player and can play very well in different positions, there are more possibilities for him to play.

"I think the most important thing last season was that he was the player in the squad that played the most. When you are a player, you want to play and be in the starting XI.

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"He can dominate different positions on the pitch and that is so fantastic - he can be top as a midfielder, centre-back or full-back. Then it is up to the manager to use him in different positions."

Tottenham travel to the London Stadium on Saturday to face West Ham, live on Sky Sports, against whom Dier made his debut three years ago and scored the winner in a 1-0 victory. He had started the game at centre-half and finished it at right-back.

In his first year after joining from Sporting Lisbon, Dier was used solely as a defender but the departures of Paulinho and Etienne Capoue the following summer meant he was tried out in midfield during pre-season.

The Englishman, who spent most of his formative footballing years in Portugal after emigrating, signed a new five-year deal with Spurs until 2021 a year ago after impressing in both roles.

"We took a big risk not signing another midfielder and it was fantastic," Argentine Pochettino said.

"He deserved all the praise and our decision (paid off) to be brave and give him the possibility to play in a club like Tottenham when you fight for big things."

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