England star Eric Dier blasts football chiefs for letting down top Premier League clubs - 7M sport

England star Eric Dier blasts football chiefs for letting down top Premier League clubs



Posted Sunday, November 15, 2020 by Dailystar.co.uk

Dier is the latest name to speak out about fixture overload, PLUS: Dier on Harry Kane and the return of fans to football grounds

Eric Dier has accused English football chiefs of letting down the country’s top clubs - with this season’s crippling fixture overload.

After seeing Liverpool ace Joe Gomez suffer a season-ending knee injury training training with England last week, Dier is pointing the finger at the authorities over the congested 2020-21 calendar.

Premier League clubs who are competing in Europe are being forced to play three times every eight days.

And, as the serious injury count mounts, Dier blames those responsible for the relentless schedule.

The England and Spurs ace rapped: “I’ve watched a team-mate of mine three days ago injure himself - by himself - in training. It was terrible.

England star Eric Dier blasts football chiefs for letting down top Premier League clubs
Dier is the latest name to complain about the fixture schedule (Image: REX)

"It’s really difficult to understand. Something needs to be done around the scheduling. It’s confusing. It’s really not nice seeing people getting injured.

"Almost weekly, you are seeing multiple injuries in the Premier League. I don’t know what the stats are - but I’m sure they’re up from before because it seems like it’s constantly happening.”

Indeed. Three have been 103 muscle injuries in the current top flight campaign to date - an increase of 16 percent.

England star Eric Dier blasts football chiefs for letting down top Premier League clubs
Liverpool ace Joe Gomez has been injured while on England duty (Image: GETTY)

Dier, 26, went on: “I don’t understand why they aren’t trying to help our teams in Europe to be in a better position to perform in the Premier League - and protect the players’ welfare.

"If you look across every other league, they look after clubs. I don’t understand why we don’t in England."

'Kane is the best in the world'

Harry Kane is the best striker in the world - thanks to his unrivaled defensive ability.

That’s the verdict of his England and Tottenham team-mate Eric Dier as Kane continues to rip up the record books.

The Three Lions skipper’s prolific strike rate for club and country - along with an ever-increasing number of assists - already places him alongside the most lethal hitmen on the planet.

England star Eric Dier blasts football chiefs for letting down top Premier League clubs
Dier and Kane pictured in England training together back in September (Image: Eddie Keogh for The FA/REX/Shutterstock)

But Dier reckons Kane, 27, has no equals among those who play up front when It comes to his attributes at the back.

The central defender said:” “Comparing him to the rest of the strikers in football, I don’t think it’s even up for discussion, he’s one of the best in the world.

"He has so much to his game, his hold-up play is fantastic, he’s as good as anyone in the air, his finishing with both feet, and the way he brings team-mates into play.

"He’s a match-winner, he’s done it on many occasions. That’s what the best strikers do - score goals at the right time to win you games.

England star Eric Dier blasts football chiefs for letting down top Premier League clubs
Kane is receiving plaudits for more than just his goals (Image: PA)

"But he does so much for the team and that’s what makes him stand out against the rest.

"Everything else he does for the team, defensively, off the ball, the effort he puts in, is the best in the world from a striker."

Kane, who has rattled in a total of 201 goals for Tottenham, will be looking to add to his 32 for England in Belgium tonight in what will be his 50th appearance.

'Return of fans would be great - but abuse will soon follow'

Eric Dier would love for peace and harmony to break out between fans and players post-COVID.

Yet the Tottenham star - suspended for four games last season after confronting one of his club's supporters in the stands - doubts there will be any dramatic improvement.

The hope is that previously abusive fans will be less inclined to target players after being unable to attend any games since the coronavirus outbreak in March.

England star Eric Dier blasts football chiefs for letting down top Premier League clubs
Games continue to be played without fans in attendance (Image: PA)

Asked if he envisages a positive shift in that respect when crowds are finally allowed back inside stadiums, Dier’s response was mixed.

Yes, he is relishing the prospect of performing at packed-out grounds as soon as possible.

Yes, he feels there will be greater mutual respect among fans and players amid the relief and joy to be watching live action again.

But, at the same time, Dier is equally certain the hateful elements that have long tarnished our Beautiful Game will remain prevalent.

The England defender, who faces Belgium in the Uefa Nations League on Sunday, said: “It’s something that’s always going to exist.

"The atmosphere in stadiums when fans get back will be incredible and it’s something I catch myself thinking about. I can’t wait.

"I think there will be a little change in dynamic from our side and their side - having gone through this very difficult time. We’ll be able to appreciate how much we both need each other.

"But I think, unfortunately, those types of things will always exist.”

One future occasion where supporters inside Wembley are imperative is England’s Euro 2021 group clash against bitter rivals Scotland.

Steve Clarke’s men secured their place in the finals with a shoot-out victory in Serbia on Thursday.

And Dier, 26, admitted: “We all know the history between England and Scotland - it’s going to be a fantastic game.

"I really hope there can be fans there to witness it because I was lucky enough to play a few years ago in Scotland - and the atmosphere was one of the best I’ve played in."

Dier was then informed that if he is an England ever-present between now and next June, the Battle of the Brits will be his 50th cap for the country.

Ahead of his 44th this evening in Antwerp, he added: “That would be amazing. But I always say in football things change - on an hourly basis. I’m definitely not looking that far ahead.

"That would be a dream situation for me but I have a lot of work to do to get to that point and place.”



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