Eric Dier who has been deployed as a defensive midfielder, a centre-back and a right-back due to his versatility, has reiterated he ‘needs a goal from a free-kick’ to establish himself as Spurs’ free-kick specialist.
Tottenham have lacked any sort of set-piece prowess since Christian Eriksen departed the club to join Italian side Inter Milan in January 2020 as Heung Min Son whipped freekick against Watford back in August of 2021 is currently Tottenham’s only Premier League freekick goal of the last two seasons.
Harry Kane has always be given the responsibility for free kicks since Eriksen’s departure but his only goal from a free-kick, came back in 2014 with a heavily-deflected goal at Aston Villa.
Harry Kane is exceptional in most areas of the game but his direct free-kicks remain an area in need of huge improvement as the production simply hasn’t been there.
"Harry Kane and free-kicks is not a recipe that goes together massively successfully…"
What comes next?
Watch #MIDTOT LIVE on @BBCOne and @BBCiPlayer. https://t.co/cS57h0fiRJ #FACup pic.twitter.com/aqj0Q2Y6NP
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 1, 2022
53 – After scoring with his very first direct free-kick attempt in November 2014, @HKane has failed to score with any of his last 53 such shots in the top-flight. Since 2003-04, only Jay-Jay Okocha has taken as many without scoring more than once (54 each). Dreamers. #AskOptaJoe https://t.co/tf5rksaSPb
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 22, 2022
The Spurs centre back has only notched up one free-kick goal and that was for his nation, England in EURO 2016 when he hit a rocket against Russia in the Three Lions’ opening group game, however, Eric is still yet to convert any of his many attempts for Tottenham.
But in an interview with Sunil Chhetri on YouTube, Dier admitted he wants to be on a few more and just needs one to go in to boost his confidence and establish himself.
Chhetri said to Dier: “Can I ask you something, why don’t you take more free-kicks? I always wanted to ask you this because I don’t know if many people know this, you are brilliant.”
The defender responded: “I should, I should. I’ve taken a few this season and have been unlucky with a few.
“Middlesbrough the keeper made a good save, Palace last season, I’ve just been missing that goal. I need that goal from a free-kick to establish myself. But it’s nice to hear from someone who has seen me score some!”
The value of freekicks can be the difference between a title, Champions League and even a team’s place in the league with Southampton’s ace James Ward-Prowse the most glaring example.
Dier has the quality, but the 28-year-old just needs the confidence. His most recent shot against Newcastle was wide of the mark but it was still a lot closer than Kane’s latest efforts; most of which have been struck against the wall leaving Spurs fans frustrated and groaning at yet another missed opportunity.
And Maybe he will get the confidence if one goes in, and add another threat to Conte’s side.
