Dier memory
WHEN it comes to the future and a World Cup appearance, Eric Dier is taking nothing for granted.
As for the past, Tottenham’s versatile star has proved he is unlikely to appear on A Question of Sport.
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Dier, 23, will be a key man for Gareth Southgate at next summer’s finals in Russia and has the benefit of not bearing the scars of the previous World Cup.
Indeed, he is even luckier, as he cannot remember anything about Brazil 2014.
There are a few thousand England fans who made the journey to South America who will wish they could do the same.
As he prepared at St George’s Park for the forthcoming friendlies against Germany and Brazil, Dier was asked what he remembered about that tournament, where England did not even make it beyond the group stages.
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He admitted: “Not a lot, to be honest. I was in Portugal still and my memories are not much. Who won?”
On being told it was Germany Dier, grinning, said: “Sorry, I can’t really remember much.”
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Bang goes any chance of a phone call from Sue Barker and the BBC.
Dier is, nevertheless, articulate and well educated and hoping to be among this current group of players attempting to rewrite history and become answers themselves to a sports quiz question.
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Realistically, it is very unlikely boss Southgate’s men will become the first English team to win the World Cup since 1966.
And Dier accepted recent performances have not been good enough at major finals.
He said: “Obviously a lot of improvement is needed.
“I would not say it is only the last two tournaments.
“It goes back quite a long way, to be honest, that England have not done well. People forget that.
“It has been a long time since England have had a good tournament. Winning is really the only way I see it as being successful.
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“This is a new group which has come together since the Euros. It is a young group with lots of young faces and the margin for progression is huge.
“It is fantastic the other age groups have done so well this year.
“Winning tournaments is fantastic for the youth system and proves the plan in place is working. It also puts more pressure on us to do well.”
Southgate has not been helped by the number of players withdrawing ahead of the two friendlies at Wembley.
Three of those — Harry Kane, Harry Winks and Dele Alli — are Dier’s team-mates at Tottenham and are expected to still be up and running for the North London derby against Arsenal on Saturday week.
But Dier, who can play in either midfield or defence, is concerned only about himself.
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He said: “Playing for your country is the pinnacle of football. It is what you want to do and has to be special.
“You cannot just think you will be in every squad because you have done X and X in previous years. It has to be constant.
“You always have to be on your toes to get the call-up, otherwise you can become complacent.
“I don’t think you can think too far ahead because that is very dangerous.
“Our focus is purely on these two games, against Germany and Brazil.
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“You have to keep your levels of expectation high and keep trying to push yourself.
“It is important to keep your form, whether there is a World Cup or no World Cup.
“I am at a club where we have got lots of young players and a manager who keeps us on our toes 24/7.
“That is really important, especially for young players like myself and for others.”
With their performances in qualifying functional and unspectacular, England now need to improve massively if they are to enjoy a decent World Cup.
Not that they could be any worse than the last tournament in Brazil four years ago.
Hopefully, Dier will be able to remember what actually happens in Russia.
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