Dier out to fill generation gap

ERIC DIER admits success for the Young Lions has heaped pressure on the seniors.

And the Spurs midfielder says the only way they can compete with the younger generation’s achievements is by winning the World Cup.

England have won the European Under-19 Championship and the World Cup at U-17 and U-20 level this year. And Dier (left) says the time has come for the senior side to match those achievements in Russia next summer.

He said: “It is fantastic for England as a country and puts more pressure on us to do well.

“Winning tournaments is fantastic for the youth system and proves within the younger age groups the plan in place is working, so it is brilliant from that point of view.

“At senior level, it has been a long time since England have had a good international tournament and winning it is really the only way I see it as being successful.

“There is a long way to go. This is a new group which has come together since the Euros. It is a young group, lots of young faces, and the margin for progression is huge.”

Dier, 23, feels competition for places coupled with England’s youth policy is focusing minds.

“It is the way it has to be,” he said. “Playing for your country is the pinnacle of football.

“You cannot just think you will be in every squad because you have done X and X in previous years.”