Antonio’s delight at Dier’s England recall

Antonio Conte is delighted to see Eric Dier back in the England squad - insisting it has to be a starting point with the World Cup just around the corner.

The defender has been outstanding in the centre of Antonio’s defensive system of three central defenders in a 3-4-3 formation, starting 35 of our 38 matches in the Premier League last season as we finished fourth and qualified for the UEFA Champions League. Ever-present since returning from injury in February, a run now up to 25 matches, Eric’s form has been recognised by Gareth Southgate for England’s UEFA Nations League fixtures against Italy next Friday (23 September) and Germany (26 September). The last of his 45 caps was against Iceland in November, 2020.

Antonio said: “First of all, I'm really pleased, because when my players are called up to the national teams, we are really proud. It means we are working very well, and we are trying to help the players to go with the national teams.

“It's a really good achievement for Eric, but what I can only tell him is that this has to be a starting point, that he has to gain the possibility to go to the World Cup, especially in this month we have before the World Cup (starts in Qatar on 20 November). He has to continue to play well, to have good performances, to show he has really good stability, that he is a really reliable player. I can tell him only this… continue in this way, continue to work hard and have this concentration.”

Asked about his role looking at different defensive formations, Antonio replied: “I think we are talking about a player who has a lot of versatility. He is a player who can play in the centre when you defend with three at the back.

“He can play as a central defender with four at the back, but at the same time he can play as a pivot, as a number four. You can see during the game also especially when we are going to build up and we use him, and he becomes a midfielder.

“We are talking about a really good player who, in my opinion, he has grown a lot physically, mentally in his mind, and you can see a player that now knows his capacity.

“Now he is an important player, but as you know very well football changes quickly, and he has to continue in this way with humility, to be humble, to continue to work very hard, to continue to have the right ambition, the right desire to be an important player. It’s happening like this, for sure. I will push him always, but not only him. I try to push every single player to give more and more and more.”