- Nov 15, 2010
- 1,378
- 1,894
Very good point, and sort of along the same lines, I think that Dier is a player who is very good at understanding what his coach wants and makes sure he delivers it - very good at adapting and playing to varying instructions. That quality is even more important at international level, and I think he will have a very long and involved career with England as a result, which in turn will make him a better and better player.For what it's worth, while I would choose Wanyama in a straight one-or-the-other decision, I think the question omits one of Dier's most important qualities - his flexibility allows us to play exactly the same way when missing any of Wanyama, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Sanchez and, to a point, Dembele. He isn't just an 'adequate replacement' for all of those in terms of overall quality, he fits into the side and knows exactly what he needs to do in order for everyone else to play as if it was the first-choice eleven out. And I think that's hugely important.
There might not be a huge difference in overall quality between, say, Rose and Davies or Aurier and Trippier, but their varying strengths and weaknesses enforce subtle changes in the way the team plays, and therefore the rhythm changes, everything becomes slightly slower and less instinctive. Dier's versatility means the machine can lose any of three or four important players without disrupting the overall style, and I think that's an incredible strength to have - it's important to have players like Son, N'Koudou, Llorente and Winks in the squad who offer 'something different', but it's just as important to have someone like Dier who offers 'something very bloody similar' for when players go missing throughout the season.