Gareth Southgate has identified the system as “a better option” for the finals in Russia next summer and will employ the tactic in the upcoming friendlies against Germany and Brazil.
England used a three-man defence in the 1-0 friendly defeat by Germany in Dortmund last season, which was arguably their most impressive performance under Southgate.
John Stones, Gary Cahill and Phil Jones would probably be the strongest back three but Southgate also has Harry Maguire, Joe Gomez and Michael Keane for the games at Wembley against Germany on Friday and Brazil four days later.
Stones, Cahill and Jones have all played in the system successfully for their clubs and Dier says it allows the two wing-backs in the team to use their attacking qualities.
Danny Rose, Ryan Bertrand, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Ashley Young are in contention to fill the wing-back roles in this squad and all like to get forward.
Dier, as a defensive midfielder, would also offer protection and he has seen the benefits of the system at Tottenham.
“It is the formation that is in style a bit at the moment,” he said today. “It is the evolution of football really. With four at the back teams wanted to play very attacking full-backs. With a back five, that gives you a bit more security to do that.
“If a lot of the players are playing it for their clubs then that is a positive because they will be used to the system. Whatever system the managers want to play, the players are good enough to adapt to any formation or style.
“We played that system in the Germany game and there were lots of positives.
“The performance was good. We can draw positives from that.”
Dier has played in both midfield and defence in the system for Spurs this season and says he is happy to play in either for both club and country.
He added: “I do not know what the future holds for me or where I will end up settling, because I am sure there will come a time when I am playing more games in one than the other.
“But football changes very quickly so I do not know where that will be.
“I enjoy both. I have enjoyed playing at centre-back over the last couple of weeks. We have played some really difficult teams so playing at centre-back has given me different challenges and I have enjoyed that as well.”
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