He was never the same after the illness that followed his appendix operation. I know how that feels and I think you do too? Prior to that he wasn't rapid but covered more ground at a higher rate. He looks lumbering and slow these days and despite Tuchel's claims, he's no specialist centre back. He was an excellent servant to the club and I wish him well, but like his great mate, Dele, it's long since time to part our ways.
Personally, I’ll just be grateful if you choose another long term name. can’t keep up with Spurlock’s changes/lost bets!
It's no great secret that I've never been Dier's biggest fan. I never quite got over the club's decision to turn down a £50m offer from Jose at United...or allowing the same manager to award the player a new 4-year contract when he came here. Glad to finally see the back of him. A player who was made to look vastly better than he actually was by superior teammates. I think his biggest problem was that he fell into a hubris as a result and came to believe in the myth that he was actually a good player. Didn't improve in a single aspect of his game in close to 5 years which is damning. Was making the same mistakes in his 'prime' as he was as a youngster. But he cost £5m and ultimately was worth every penny so I can't complain too much. Right then Harry, that's one down. Your next mission is to convince Tuchel that Sessegnon and Ndombele are the second coming of Bale and Pirlo.
Agent Stellini is currently talking up Djed Spence to the Genovese press https://www.buoncalcioatutti.it/202...rive-djed-spence-lo-ha-allenato-al-tottenham/
I personally think Royal is an extremely useful squad player. Not good enough for the first team but his attitude and work rate have been exemplary. Similar to Davies in that regard. I think Porro makes far more errors defensively, but his technical ability and attacking contributions mean we indulge them.
And I think he will improve with time too. I don't think Ange will want him out either because he always sticks to the system and takes risks.
I just think he got away with a lot because his face fit and was in the right clique. Other players in the squads with him didn’t…and I think were similar in what they offered - Foyth, Chiriches, Sanchez, Wimmer. Even Fazio (lmao). Hopefully we are now developing a more inclusive culture and an awareness of unconscious bias -and where players are in the squad and kept on ability and output.
Attitude and work rate has never been questioned but his ability absolutely has been. He’s a player like Hojbjerg and Skipp that just cannot play in a possession based system. He’s one of the most uncomfortable players to watch in possession of a football and his inability with it has caused unnecessary pressure in a number of games. Davies is an overall far better player.
I agree on some of those names you have mentioned, that they should have been given more of a chance. Foyth especially. Dier has had good and bad patches and he did play well as recently as 2022. However we can all agree that it is absolutely the right time for him to move on but I don’t think he was as bad as some people think. It’s a fantastic move for him to go to Bayern although I can’t see him playing much if everyone is fit. He’s definitely going to be 4th choice to start with.
His time has come and it’s a bit overdue. He did have a bit of a renaissance in 2022 but it turned out to be more of an Indian Summer. I feel sad he’s moving on though, more because it’s a mark of the passage of time than because I’ll miss him on the pitch. Top bloke and a more significant part of some of my best footballing memories than some people I think are giving him credit for. He was very good under Poch for a few years and was an important part of England’s early progress under Southgate. I’ll never forget watching him smash Ramos in a bar in Istanbul, got a lot of odd looks from some Turkish blokes when I celebrated wildly. Completely unsuited to Angeball but I wish him nothing but the best and I’m sure he’d get a good reception anytime he returns to the Lane.
I’ll always hold respect for the guy don’t you worry, lol. I loved him during his first few years. Genuinely felt he was one of the most important cogs in Poch’s system because his versatility to switch from a CB to a DM and back again allowed in-game transitions for attacking and defensive situations without the need to make a sub. I think as Brian highlighted, the illness really knocked something out of him. He bulked up a bit too much which caused his speed to decline but his all round game just seemingly went really downhill. Arguments could be made that losing players like Dembele, Jan and Toby could’ve been a factor but it just felt like he himself suddenly went from a 7/10 player most weeks to a 4/10 one. The mini resurgence under Conte gave some hope “he was back” but it was short lived. Either way you can look back on his career with us and remember some huge moments. Essentially moving from our bench to Bayern’s where he’s also likely to play a bit more is a huge upgrade for the guy too and I hope it works out well for him. I just hope that unlike myself, he doesn’t get hooked on the bratwursts and currywursts whilst out there.
Too limited for me, if Spurs really want to push on and challenge for trophies then you need better players than Emerson. Porro perfect but he’s far more suited to Angeball and levels ahead of Emerson for me. In the summer I’d like to see the club get another RB and move Emerson on.
