Eric Dier
You made the 2019 final, what are the differences and similarities with the squad right now?
It is difficult to speak and compare those two teams. We’ve only played one game in the Champions League so far so it is difficult to compare the two. Yeah, different teams and it has been a long time since then but obviously there are some of us still here from that run. It was a very special year for us and something that would be incredible for us to try and follow in the same way.
What do you remember about Marcus Edwards and what have you made of his development?
I remember him well. He trained with us for a few years at Tottenham. I think he is a very talented player. Technically very good and someone we will have to pay a lot of attention to tomorrow. I think he’s done extremely well since he arrived. It’s very difficult to come to a new country and play in a different league. Obviously leaving the situation he was in at Tottenham to play regular football, to go to the team he went to and do so well and then Sporting buying him from there is something he can be very proud of.
Are you hopeful of getting back into the England squad this week?
I am happy with how the season has started. For me there is always space for improvement and I’m trying my best to keep doing that, to keep improving. I think I still have a lot of space for that and to be honest I’m not thinking about anything else other than the game tomorrow and trying to play well for Tottenham.
What are your feelings on being back in Lisbon?
It will be a difficult game for us, we know and are aware of that. Sporting are a very good side, a strong team but it is an opportunity for us to get to a good position in the group. We know it will be difficult, the two teams won their first matches so this will be a good one between two very competitive teams. It is very special of course to me to be back here. I spent a long time here in Sporting and it took some time to come back. I would rather play against another team in Portugal but we can’t do anything about that and I am very happy to be here.
How do you view Sporting, still follow them?
Yes of course I always follow Sporting. I think they are in some very good hands now. It went through some difficult times but it was able to overcome that. Now it has become a very strong side, a young side, with a young coach, a very ambitious coach and they even won the league for the first time in many years. Yes, I am very happy to see Sporting in the Champions League and fighting for national titles again. That is where Sporting should be and I am very happy to see them playing like that.
What is the importance of three points here?
Yes all games are important and so to get as many points as possible is very important. We will always play to win and get the three points but we know it will be very difficult match. All away matches are certainly difficult because of the atmosphere, the other side and we saw that in the first match with Marseille, which was a very competitive match. Tomorrow I am sure it will be the same and difficult for us but we are prepared for it.
Ruben Amorim said Tottenham are the favourites in this group, do you agree?
I respect his opinion. Whether we are favourites or not, I don’t know but it is his opinion and I respect that. I still say it will be very difficult game for us and we are prepared for that but we came here to win.
He also said Marcus Edwards could play for England one day, do you agree?
Well, it depends on him. I think he is a very talented player, he is very strong and yes it would be great if he could make it to the national team. I mean If he keeps evolving like that, I think he could get to the national team.
What did you tell the team about Sporting, did you have any secrets to pass on?
I have no secrets. I left Sporting a long time ago. It was a totally different team. The players are all different so I have nothing to tell them.
