Gareth Southgate has revealed Eric Dier’s professionalism is the reason he has been chosen to captain England against Germany on Friday night.
With a number of senior players missing from the group through injury, including previous captains Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane, Southgate has turned to Dier to lead the team out at Wembley.
“Eric is an established player in the side now. He plays with maturity and intelligence. He understands the game really well. He is also a great role model,” the England boss told the FA.
“His approach to everything is very professional. He hardly ever misses a game and plays in an unselfish manner. I think he can be even more of a leader than he currently is and I am hoping giving him this reward and responsibility will also bring even more out of him as well.
“He has the respect of everybody because of the way he is. He connects well with the whole group. He is a really top professional.”
I’m delighted for Dier, whose contributions for Tottenham are often undervalued. He deserves this.
