15 November 2023 , 06:57
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Eric Dier has admitted it is "inevitable" he will return to Sporting CP - almost a decade since his move to Tottenham.
The England international, who was born in Cheltenham but moved to Portugal when he was seven, came through the youth system at Sporting and made his first-team debut in November 2012. He played 31 first-team matches across two years, before earning himself a £4million move to Spurs in August 2014.
Since, Dier has become part of the furniture at Tottenham. He has made 363 appearances and played significant roles in their second-place finish in 2016/17 and Champions League run to the final two years later. Even last season, the 29-year-old featured in 42 games - the most he has played in five years.
However, following the appointment of Ange Postecoglou, Dier's game time has significantly reduced, although he did return to the starting XI for their defeat at Wolves on Saturday. His contract is set to expire next summer, and while a move away from Spurs is not on his mind, he has discussed returning to Lisbon and why getting back playing football is his "priority".
"One day I am sure I will be back," he is quoted by PA as saying at the Web Summit in Lisbon. "I think it is inevitable. If my wife wants to, we'll come back one day to live when I have finished my career.
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"Sporting is my club, it will always be my club, it's where I spent 12 years. Portugal as well for me is my home. I'm 29 so I hope I have a lot of years left to play. I'm still young. Football is my priority."
Eric Dier has struggled for game time at Tottenham this season (Getty Images)Dier's Tottenham made an excellent start to the campaign, winning eight of their opening 10 Premier League matches, but have recently experienced a mini-blip. Spurs have lost their last two games against Chelsea and Wolves, which has moved them from the top of the table and down to fourth.
But Dier, who was part of two top-flight title races under ex-boss Mauricio Pochettino, said: "We're still at the start of the season, there is still a long way to go," he stated. "I am experienced enough to know anything is possible."
Spurs now have a two-week break between fixtures due to the international break. With Postecoglou currently undergoing somewhat of an injury crisis, he will be hoping to get a few players back fit for when they take on fifth-place Aston Villa in a mouth-watering clash on Sunday, November 26.