Eric Dier has proven to be a defensive force in the 2023/24 Bundesliga season, putting in an impressive performance that makes him stand out in the league. The Bayern Munich defender put up an outstanding stat line that impressively demonstrates his defensive prowess.
Out of 262 outfield players who played more than 1,000 minutes on the pitch last season, Eric Dier was only dribbled over once. This statistic emphasises his defensive strength and makes him one of the most reliable players in the Bundesliga. The robust centre-back was an integral part of the Munich defence in the second half of the season.
When Eric Dier moved from Tottenham Hotspur to Bayern Munich in January, he was seen as a stopgap. Experts didn’t think he had much chance in Munich, as he was no longer a regular at his old club. However, Dier has proved fans and experts wrong with his impressive performances. The 1.91 metre tall defender made 20 appearances for Munich in the second half of the season. Thanks to his numerous appearances, he also fulfilled the conditions for an automatic contract extension until 2025, meaning that the Bundesliga can continue to look forward to one of the strongest defenders in the league.
Dier not nominated for the European Championship
Despite his strong performances at Bayern Munich and impressive defensive statistics, Dier was not included in England’s provisional European Championship squad. England coach Gareth Southgate explained that Dier was just behind other players selected. Nevertheless, he recognised that Dier had played very well for Bayern. Southgate emphasised that there is great satisfaction with Dier’s performances in Munich, but he prefers other options in central defence for the European Championships in Germany.
That decision could be partly down to Dier’s reduced visibility in the first half of the season, when he saw limited action at Tottenham. Despite his upturn in form at Munich and obvious qualities, Southgate opted for players who have played more regularly in the Premier League. Nevertheless, the 30-year-old centre-back will be extremely pleased with his second half of the season at the German record champions.