Eric Dier Denies Positional Dispute Behind England U21 Opt out

Eric Dier won't be playing for the England U21 squad, and the cause behind the decision is the subject of some dispute. 

Thursday, Nov. 13

Dier Disputes Positional Conflict Claims

Eric Dier disputed the claims that he opted out of playing for the England U21 side because he didn't want to play right-back, according to Sky Sports: 

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'I will never complain to a manager about what position I play as long as I am playing - I'd even play centre-forward if I was asked to,' Dier told Tottenham’s website.

The former Sporting Lisbon defender will spend the next two weeks putting in extra training with Tottenham Instead of joining up with Southgate’s squad.

'I spoke to Gareth Southgate and we were in complete agreement that it was the right thing to do,' added Dier.

'We had an open conversation and I think he was happy that I could be so honest with him. If he wasn't completely fine with this then I would never have asked because I would never want to put him in a difficult position.

'He has been fantastic with the whole situation and is really easy to talk to. I certainly would never want to give him or anyone else the wrong impression.

'It not a case that I don't want to play for England, that couldn't be further from the truth.

'It has been a hectic start to the season for me and I have been delighted with the number of games I've played so far.'

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Wednesday, Nov. 12

According to John Percy of The Telegraph, the Tottenham defender will instead concentrate on establishing himself as one of Spurs' first-choice centre-backs:

Dier made the move to White Hart Lane from Sporting Lisbon over the summer and has won plaudits for some of his performances thus far, despite being played outside of his natural role.

Rather than accept his fate, the 20-year-old has decided to take a stand after "insisting he was not good enough to play right-back." Percy quotes England U21 manager Gareth Southgate in saying:

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It is an interesting one, we had quite a mature conversation about it and he feels there are parts of his game that he wants to work at. Long term we both agree that he is unlikely to be a full-back and is going to be a centre-half. Without wishing Mauricio a problem, I think I agree with that so we said he will stay [with Spurs].

It took me by surprise a little bit as he would have been in the squad and we thought he did well in Croatia, but he feels his time is best served on the training ground. He didn’t want there to be any misunderstanding about him not wanting to play for England because he does. He’s had opportunities in the past to play for Portugal. He doesn’t want to do that, he wants to play for England.

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Some may argue that a player should assume whatever role is required of him when representing his country, entrusting his fate with the manager and the decisions he makes.

Sang Tan/Associated Press

However, Dier's move is an understandable one, given his young age and the fact he's in a grand state of transition in his career at present, moving division, country and most notably in this case, position.

In the years to come, we may yet see Dier return to the U21 line-up as the central defender he envisions himself as or, who knows, perhaps even making the move up to senior honours.