Eric Dier

Sporting Lisbon defender Eric Dier joined Everton on loan in 2011. Everton initially signed 17-year-old English-born defender on loan from Sporting Lisbon for the remainder of the season.  He is the first Englishman to play for Sporting Lisbon. Under the mentorship of the iconic Paulo Cardoso (the man who scouted Ronaldo and Nani for Sporting) Dier had been expected to break through into the Sporting first team setup next season.

Dier may be eligible to play for both England and Portugal. The 6ft 2in centre-back was born in Cheltenham but moved to Portugal aged seven when his mother got a job working at Euro 2004 and is contracted to Sporting until 2013. Although his family have since returned to Britain, he stayed out in Lisbon.

Despite being just 16, he played for Sporting’s Under 19s; he has been captain of every junior Sporting side — bar the Under 19s — since he was 11 and when he signed a professional contract in April 2010. Sporting had to fight off interest from Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham. The player, who could be eligible for joint English-Portuguese nationality when he turns 18, is the grandson of former Football Association secretary Ted Croker, and great uncle Peter both played professionally for Charlton Athletic whilst his dad was a pro tennis player.

The only problem is that no-one from the FA has ever been in touch with Dier. He must be worth a look. But it seems the FA, as with Mainz winger Lewis Holtby, are so far unaware of Dier’s existence.

“I think of myself as a little bit Portuguese but I still consider myself English,” said Dier at Sporting’s academy in Alcochete, on the outskirts of Lisbon. “My dream is to play for England but no-one has ever been in touch about representing them. I don’t know if they know about me and maybe it’s got something to do with me being abroad. I guess it’s hard to come out and watch my games.”

Eric signed for the Blues on loan in the January 2011 transfer window on a short term deal until the summer. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches, he has the make up to be a commanding centre half and his coaching at Lisbon`s academy is such that the ball playing aspect of his play has been greatly nurtured. Dier is a cultured centre back whose style has been cultivated by the marriage of contrasting football cultures.

His exploits have been recognised by the Portuguese national team, who attempted to select him for a recent U17 international. For Dier, though, there is only one international ambition, to attract the attention of the England FA and represent the country of his birth. His development was noticed by Umbro who pressed for Dier to front their England merchandising launch.

Since his move to Goodison, Eric has been working with the Academy Under-18 side but given his exposure in Portugal he is expected to move up through the ranks rapidly and could be in the first team squad as early as next season. Asked about whether he was a typical English centre half, Dier said:

"I can do that as well but I can pass it and I`m very comfortable on the ball. In Portugal it`s all very technical and that`s what they emphasise most. People tell me that I am a leader and very competitive. I`m not the quickest but I`ve been working on that — I have seen a speed specialist, Margot Wells, for the last two summers — but I think I read the game well, which compensates a bit. I don`t really like to compare myself to anyone but I like watching Nemanja Vidic, Ricardo Carvalho and Gerard Pique"

Dier helped Everton Under-18s to win their group in the FA Premier Youth League, and they went on to win the 2011 national Playoff Final with him against Fulham.

Already tipped as a future Premier League performer and England regular, Sporting sanctioned Dier’s move to Finch Farm so he could “grow in a more competitive demanding and environment”. He is ineligible for David Moyes’s first team, however, and Sporting would want a multi-million pound fee for any permanent transfer.  Another obstacle could be third party ownership, with Sporting having sold 50% economic rights of the player to a third parties owner, "Quality Football Ireland Limited".

Eric Dier returned to Sporting Lisbon after his initial half-season loan expired, but was then secured on a full season loan for 2011-12.

He looks to be an excellent prospect with the potential to make to the first team — if he is allowed to play for us! He has all the attributes a top centre half could need: he's a tall lad so wins a lot in the air and is a threat from offensive set plays. He has decent pace but also excellent reading of the game, he's not staggering quick yet is hardly outpaced. His technique is top notch and he likes to play the ball about on the floor and is comfortable in possession and starting plays from the back.

He should make an excellent Premier League defender but whether or not Everton will sign him permanently remains to be seen. Sporting would likely not let him go cheaply, with a price tag of £5 million which is a huge amount for a 17-year-old. He's also one of these players with strange registration agencies – much like Carlos Tevez.

Sporting said they see his time with Everton as more of an experience to play at a tougher level than in Portugal, so they perhaps expect he will end up moving to the Premier League at some point in his career. Hopefully his time at Everton has put them in a strong position, and news in March that Sporting Lisbon had bought back that 50% interest from QFIL could perhaps smooth the path for a future transfer...

By Michael Kenrick
Last updated February 2012