Antonio Conte has stated it would take "important money" for a club to even try and prise Eric Dier away from Tottenham. Previously operating as a holding midfielder for the Lilywhites, it wasn't until Jose Mourinho's arrival as head coach when the ex-Sporting CP man started to play at centre-back on a regular basis.
Dier has been a huge hit in the role and made the position his own under Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and now Conte. With a host of quality centre-backs in the Premier League, the Italian certainly rates his Spurs player very highly and says he is now at an "important level" of defenders.
"Now in England, we are talking about the best tournament in the world, the best and most difficult tournament and now Eric is an important level of defenders," said the 53-year-old. "I think if someone wants to buy him or sign him, you have to put important money for him because I see other defenders and if I try to make comparison, I think you have to put important money if you want to sign him, but Tottenham does not want to sell him."
