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Why it's do or die for Eric Dier: The defender has blown hot and cold for Tottenham and went from England hero to forgotten man... after Antonio Conte claimed he can become 'one of the best', his stop-start career cannot afford any more disruption

There comes a moment in the life of every footballer where a switch is flicked and their career ignites. For some, it happens early, others are late bloomers - it can even happen too soon and then the light goes out. That predicament sums up Eric Dier perfectly after a stop-start tenure at Tottenham Hotspur.

Signed way back in 2014 as the exciting young English central defender from Sporting Lisbon, Dier slotted straight into Mauricio Pochettino's swashbuckling side and was a key part of a team that went on to challenge for the title and become Champions League regulars.