England star slams Southgate for Euro 2024 snub

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender, Eric Dier isn’t having any of the Gareth Southgate Euro 2024 shenanigan.

The England star has expressed his disappointment over being left out of the 33-man provisional squad for Euro 2024 released by national team manager Gareth Southgate.

The announcement on Tuesday included some unexpected names and omissions, with Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Ajax’s Jordan Henderson missing out after underwhelming seasons.

Several uncapped players made the cut, such as Liverpool’s Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.

England’s central defense has been hit by injuries to regulars Harry Maguire and John Stones, prompting Southgate to call up five additional center-backs. However, Dier, who has transitioned to playing exclusively as a center-back at Bayern Munich, was notably absent from the list.

Dier, 30, has not featured for England since the 2022 World Cup and last appeared in the squad in March 2023. After joining Bayern Munich on loan from Tottenham in January and making the move permanent in March, Dier has performed well in Germany despite Bayern ending the season without a trophy.

Ahead of Bayern’s Champions League quarter-final tie against Arsenal in March, Dier expressed his belief that he deserved a spot in the England squad.

“Obviously, I want to be a part of the England set-up and I believe that I should be a part of it, that I’m that level of player,” Dier said.

He also noted that he has not had any dip in form since the World Cup and is playing some of the best football of his career.

Reflecting on his current form and age, Dier added,

“People think I’m 37 or something, but I’m 30 and am nowhere near the end of my prime and imagine that this will be my prime.”

He compared his situation to former teammates Mousa Dembele, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, and Hugo Lloris, who played their best football in their early thirties.