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Why Eric Dier has replaced Federico Fazio at the heart of Spurs’ defence
By Nick Harris-Fry
Posted on March 11, 2015
When Tottenham Hotspur lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace in January, it was just the second time in 17 games that a starting centre-back partnership of Jan Vertonghen and Federico Fazio had tasted defeat.
Considering that the other loss came away at Chelsea, most would reckon on that being a pretty decent return from the pairing, especially as Spurs had won 11 of those 17 matches and had been on their best run of the season so far before the loss at Selhurst Park.
However, Mauricio Pochettino clearly saw things differently. The next time Spurs took the field in a Premier League match, at home to Sunderland, Eric Dier had replaced Fazio next to Vertonghen.
The young English defender kept his place for the first leg of Spurs’ Capital One Cup semi-final against Sheffield United. In total, Dier and Vertonghen have now started nine of the Lilywhites’ last 13 in all competitions together, and six of the last seven in the league.
Pochettino has never shied away from making gutsy calls when it comes to young players during his managerial career, but this might well rank as the most interesting of his time at Spurs. Fazio is 27, has won caps for Argentina and trophies at Sevilla, and was, by most accounts, doing a reasonable job next to Vertonghen.
Dier is 21, and had spent most of his time at Spurs filling in at right-back. It’s not outrageous to say a loan move elsewhere was as likely to arise as a regular starting role in the middle of Spurs’ defence at the start of January.
The results have so far more or less justified Pochettino’s decision. Spurs have won four of the six Dier and Vertonghen have started in the Premier League in 2015, and lost just twice in all competitions – away at Liverpool and in the Capital One Cup final against Chelsea. However, results were also good with Fazio, so what prompted the switch to Dier, and has it proved a successful change?
It is fair to say the stats land firmly on Fazio’s side. The Argentine outranks Dier in every defensive area aside from tackling. Fazio makes more interceptions, clearances and blocks per 90 minutes than the Englishman. He also wins more aerial duels at a better overall success rate. When it comes to Squawka’s Performance Score, Fazio has the sixth-best tally in Spurs’ squad, and rises to fourth when it is averaged out per game. It’s also worth mentioning that, with 13.46 per game, no Spurs player averages more defensive actions than the former Sevilla man, who is also sixth in the overall Premier League standings.
Fazio has averaged more defensive actions per game (13) than any other Tottenham Hotspur player in the Premier League.
However, unfortunately for the Argentine, this statistical success is grounded on shaky foundations. Fazio’s aerial prowess, based on his hulking 6-foot-5 frame, is impressive and is the cornerstone of most of his fine stats. But it is not backed up by his other, less quantifiable, defensive work.
The 27-year-old is prone to lapses in concentration, possesses a turning circle wider than that of many small aircraft, and struggles to read the play when the ball is kept on the ground. He is also bone-achingly slow across the ground, an especially dangerous fault when paired with Vertonghen, who is also far from speedy.
While he might not have the natural advantage of Fazio’s height and aerial prowess, Dier is faster and crucially, has demonstrated more defensive nous than the Argentine this season despite being far younger, taking up better positions when up against opposition who move the ball quickly in the finally third.
That’s not to say the youngster is without his faults. As you might expect from a 21-year-old, Dier makes mistakes, and he is sloppy in possession. The fact that Spurs have kept just one clean sheet in 2015 when Vertonghen and Dier have started together, and against Sheffield United no less, shows that the youngster’s introduction has clearly not been a catch-all cure for the Lilywhites’ defensive problems.
It would also be unfair and incorrect to say that Fazio is a poor defender. On a level playing field, it is too close to call between he and Dier. The main reason he has lost his place is that the qualities the youngster has are a better fit with Vertonghen.
The Belgian is strong in the air, composed, and excellent at reading the play and making interceptions. He is, however, slow, and prone to venturing upfield, leaving plenty of space around and behind Spurs’ back four. Dier’s pace is vital to addressing these issues, and important to aiding the success of Pochettino’s high-press.
When Fazio was in the side, hemmed-in opposition could escape by simply launching the ball upfield. If Fazio didn’t win the first header, and to be fair he more often than not did, then Spurs were almost immediately in danger as their centre-backs found themselves isolated against opposition strikers, or worse still lumbering after them as they dashed in on goal.
Dier is no slouch in the air either, winning almost 60 per cent of his aerial duels in the league this season, meaning the loss of Fazio’s prowess in this area isn’t too keenly felt. His extra pace and smarter positional play therefore represent a net gain for Spurs when compared to the Argentine.
It’s not a romantic notion, but Pochettino’s deserves credit for making the change to what was largely a successful defence, and improving his side overall with the introduction of the youngster.
Read more at http://www.squawka.com/news/why-eri...t-of-spurs-defence/325820#ZxG89lZWCHajzMTb.99
By Nick Harris-Fry
Posted on March 11, 2015
When Tottenham Hotspur lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace in January, it was just the second time in 17 games that a starting centre-back partnership of Jan Vertonghen and Federico Fazio had tasted defeat.
Considering that the other loss came away at Chelsea, most would reckon on that being a pretty decent return from the pairing, especially as Spurs had won 11 of those 17 matches and had been on their best run of the season so far before the loss at Selhurst Park.
However, Mauricio Pochettino clearly saw things differently. The next time Spurs took the field in a Premier League match, at home to Sunderland, Eric Dier had replaced Fazio next to Vertonghen.
The young English defender kept his place for the first leg of Spurs’ Capital One Cup semi-final against Sheffield United. In total, Dier and Vertonghen have now started nine of the Lilywhites’ last 13 in all competitions together, and six of the last seven in the league.
Pochettino has never shied away from making gutsy calls when it comes to young players during his managerial career, but this might well rank as the most interesting of his time at Spurs. Fazio is 27, has won caps for Argentina and trophies at Sevilla, and was, by most accounts, doing a reasonable job next to Vertonghen.
Dier is 21, and had spent most of his time at Spurs filling in at right-back. It’s not outrageous to say a loan move elsewhere was as likely to arise as a regular starting role in the middle of Spurs’ defence at the start of January.
The results have so far more or less justified Pochettino’s decision. Spurs have won four of the six Dier and Vertonghen have started in the Premier League in 2015, and lost just twice in all competitions – away at Liverpool and in the Capital One Cup final against Chelsea. However, results were also good with Fazio, so what prompted the switch to Dier, and has it proved a successful change?
It is fair to say the stats land firmly on Fazio’s side. The Argentine outranks Dier in every defensive area aside from tackling. Fazio makes more interceptions, clearances and blocks per 90 minutes than the Englishman. He also wins more aerial duels at a better overall success rate. When it comes to Squawka’s Performance Score, Fazio has the sixth-best tally in Spurs’ squad, and rises to fourth when it is averaged out per game. It’s also worth mentioning that, with 13.46 per game, no Spurs player averages more defensive actions than the former Sevilla man, who is also sixth in the overall Premier League standings.
Fazio has averaged more defensive actions per game (13) than any other Tottenham Hotspur player in the Premier League.
However, unfortunately for the Argentine, this statistical success is grounded on shaky foundations. Fazio’s aerial prowess, based on his hulking 6-foot-5 frame, is impressive and is the cornerstone of most of his fine stats. But it is not backed up by his other, less quantifiable, defensive work.
The 27-year-old is prone to lapses in concentration, possesses a turning circle wider than that of many small aircraft, and struggles to read the play when the ball is kept on the ground. He is also bone-achingly slow across the ground, an especially dangerous fault when paired with Vertonghen, who is also far from speedy.
While he might not have the natural advantage of Fazio’s height and aerial prowess, Dier is faster and crucially, has demonstrated more defensive nous than the Argentine this season despite being far younger, taking up better positions when up against opposition who move the ball quickly in the finally third.
That’s not to say the youngster is without his faults. As you might expect from a 21-year-old, Dier makes mistakes, and he is sloppy in possession. The fact that Spurs have kept just one clean sheet in 2015 when Vertonghen and Dier have started together, and against Sheffield United no less, shows that the youngster’s introduction has clearly not been a catch-all cure for the Lilywhites’ defensive problems.
It would also be unfair and incorrect to say that Fazio is a poor defender. On a level playing field, it is too close to call between he and Dier. The main reason he has lost his place is that the qualities the youngster has are a better fit with Vertonghen.
The Belgian is strong in the air, composed, and excellent at reading the play and making interceptions. He is, however, slow, and prone to venturing upfield, leaving plenty of space around and behind Spurs’ back four. Dier’s pace is vital to addressing these issues, and important to aiding the success of Pochettino’s high-press.
When Fazio was in the side, hemmed-in opposition could escape by simply launching the ball upfield. If Fazio didn’t win the first header, and to be fair he more often than not did, then Spurs were almost immediately in danger as their centre-backs found themselves isolated against opposition strikers, or worse still lumbering after them as they dashed in on goal.
Dier is no slouch in the air either, winning almost 60 per cent of his aerial duels in the league this season, meaning the loss of Fazio’s prowess in this area isn’t too keenly felt. His extra pace and smarter positional play therefore represent a net gain for Spurs when compared to the Argentine.
It’s not a romantic notion, but Pochettino’s deserves credit for making the change to what was largely a successful defence, and improving his side overall with the introduction of the youngster.
Read more at http://www.squawka.com/news/why-eri...t-of-spurs-defence/325820#ZxG89lZWCHajzMTb.99
Why Eric Dier has replaced Federico Fazio at the heart of Spurs’ defence
By Nick Harris-Fry
Posted on March 11, 2015
When Tottenham Hotspur lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace in January, it was just the second time in 17 games that a starting centre-back partnership of Jan Vertonghen and Federico Fazio had tasted defeat.
Considering that the other loss came away at Chelsea, most would reckon on that being a pretty decent return from the pairing, especially as Spurs had won 11 of those 17 matches and had been on their best run of the season so far before the loss at Selhurst Park.
However, Mauricio Pochettino clearly saw things differently. The next time Spurs took the field in a Premier League match, at home to Sunderland, Eric Dier had replaced Fazio next to Vertonghen.
The young English defender kept his place for the first leg of Spurs’ Capital One Cup semi-final against Sheffield United. In total, Dier and Vertonghen have now started nine of the Lilywhites’ last 13 in all competitions together, and six of the last seven in the league.
Pochettino has never shied away from making gutsy calls when it comes to young players during his managerial career, but this might well rank as the most interesting of his time at Spurs. Fazio is 27, has won caps for Argentina and trophies at Sevilla, and was, by most accounts, doing a reasonable job next to Vertonghen.
Dier is 21, and had spent most of his time at Spurs filling in at right-back. It’s not outrageous to say a loan move elsewhere was as likely to arise as a regular starting role in the middle of Spurs’ defence at the start of January.
The results have so far more or less justified Pochettino’s decision. Spurs have won four of the six Dier and Vertonghen have started in the Premier League in 2015, and lost just twice in all competitions – away at Liverpool and in the Capital One Cup final against Chelsea. However, results were also good with Fazio, so what prompted the switch to Dier, and has it proved a successful change?
It is fair to say the stats land firmly on Fazio’s side. The Argentine outranks Dier in every defensive area aside from tackling. Fazio makes more interceptions, clearances and blocks per 90 minutes than the Englishman. He also wins more aerial duels at a better overall success rate. When it comes to Squawka’s Performance Score, Fazio has the sixth-best tally in Spurs’ squad, and rises to fourth when it is averaged out per game. It’s also worth mentioning that, with 13.46 per game, no Spurs player averages more defensive actions than the former Sevilla man, who is also sixth in the overall Premier League standings.
Fazio has averaged more defensive actions per game (13) than any other Tottenham Hotspur player in the Premier League.
However, unfortunately for the Argentine, this statistical success is grounded on shaky foundations. Fazio’s aerial prowess, based on his hulking 6-foot-5 frame, is impressive and is the cornerstone of most of his fine stats. But it is not backed up by his other, less quantifiable, defensive work.
The 27-year-old is prone to lapses in concentration, possesses a turning circle wider than that of many small aircraft, and struggles to read the play when the ball is kept on the ground. He is also bone-achingly slow across the ground, an especially dangerous fault when paired with Vertonghen, who is also far from speedy.
While he might not have the natural advantage of Fazio’s height and aerial prowess, Dier is faster and crucially, has demonstrated more defensive nous than the Argentine this season despite being far younger, taking up better positions when up against opposition who move the ball quickly in the finally third.
That’s not to say the youngster is without his faults. As you might expect from a 21-year-old, Dier makes mistakes, and he is sloppy in possession. The fact that Spurs have kept just one clean sheet in 2015 when Vertonghen and Dier have started together, and against Sheffield United no less, shows that the youngster’s introduction has clearly not been a catch-all cure for the Lilywhites’ defensive problems.
It would also be unfair and incorrect to say that Fazio is a poor defender. On a level playing field, it is too close to call between he and Dier. The main reason he has lost his place is that the qualities the youngster has are a better fit with Vertonghen.
The Belgian is strong in the air, composed, and excellent at reading the play and making interceptions. He is, however, slow, and prone to venturing upfield, leaving plenty of space around and behind Spurs’ back four. Dier’s pace is vital to addressing these issues, and important to aiding the success of Pochettino’s high-press.
When Fazio was in the side, hemmed-in opposition could escape by simply launching the ball upfield. If Fazio didn’t win the first header, and to be fair he more often than not did, then Spurs were almost immediately in danger as their centre-backs found themselves isolated against opposition strikers, or worse still lumbering after them as they dashed in on goal.
Dier is no slouch in the air either, winning almost 60 per cent of his aerial duels in the league this season, meaning the loss of Fazio’s prowess in this area isn’t too keenly felt. His extra pace and smarter positional play therefore represent a net gain for Spurs when compared to the Argentine.
It’s not a romantic notion, but Pochettino’s deserves credit for making the change to what was largely a successful defence, and improving his side overall with the introduction of the youngster.
Read more at http://www.squawka.com/news/why-eri...t-of-spurs-defence/325820#ZxG89lZWCHajzMTb.99
The article has good information, but there is literally nothing quantifiable in arguing why it's a commendable decision. The physicality/height versus speed and vision comparison between the two isn't really that insightful, as it's painfully clear. We have been porous at the back lately and, although I'm not blaming that on Dier, we had a pretty good partnership between Jan and Fazio going.
Ultimately, we need to defer to Poch's better judgement, but I can see a role for both of the players, depending on the opposition and the strategy for that particular match. Physical team that relies on long-balls? I'd say Fazio. Quick teams with shorter passing, I'd go with Dier.
Quality signing. For his age he's a beast. Cheeky bit for Stones in the summer if Everton are in the shit? Would be immense if them progressed together.
He gets smashed virtually every single game and keeps coming back for more. I really like this lad, never complains, keeps it simple and gets on with it. Great attitude.
Obviously, he was absolutely massive for our attack today. Set up both goals with pretty tremendous service. Spurs MOTM, in my opinion. When put in position, he has pretty consistently shown offensive skill (although he is clearly not a RB). Would it be crazy to try him at CM?
From what I have heard he only really likes playing CB, he doesn't like playing RB even though he does it well so not sure he would want to move forward. Was great today.
This is what an English defender trained outside England brings. His ball skills are amazing. What a signing he has been? For 4 million? Incredible! He is going to be a mainstay in the centre of the defence. He is supposed to be a United fan, so hopefully they never look at signing him.
Better RB than CB for me
I think right now Sammy is right but hope he can develop at CB.
A rare "steal" for us. Quality signing with his best years to come. Has had his ups and downs this season but he'll walk away the better player for it. Will be good player for us for hopefully a long time!
Getting better all the time. Still looks like a toddler with gigantism though.
Most consistent crosser from the right we've had since Darren anderton imo.
One more great game and assist for Eric. What an awesome player. I followed him since he was on Sporting first team and always showed a lot of potential. Pace with a great ball control for a center back, obviously i was delighted when we signed him for almost nothing. Spurs got a a young english player with great potential and Sporting (one of Porto rivals) lost him for a couple of millions.
Never expected tho such a very good first season. He will lead our defence for years and England too i think. Keep going Eric!
Never expected tho such a very good first season. He will lead our defence for years and England too i think. Keep going Eric!