Dier: Alli loves to wind ’em up

ERIC DIER insists Tottenham team-mate Dele Alli revels in his role as the player opposition fans love to hate.

Alli has come under fire for his short fuse and, after a dip in form last season, is no longer guaranteed a place in England’s starting line-up.

But Dier reckons Alli can handle the flak and will thrive at the World Cup.

“He is always going to be someone that divides opinion and I think he is comfortable with that,” said Dier.

“He’s very comfortable with who he is and he should be – he’s a fantastic young boy and a great player.”

Alli heads to Russia after a campaign in which he scored just nine league goals, half his tally of the previous season. His temperament has also come under the microscope but Dier insists Alli has been harshly treated.

“That is the world we live in, whether it’s fair or not,” he said.

“He will have to get used to it. He can be proud of what he is at the moment and he can be an even better player.

“He can improve in everything, on and off the field, like all of us can, and I think he knows that.”

Dier has called on England to attack the World Cup to avoid the mishaps of previous tournaments.

“One of the big things is we want to be proactive and go head-on into the challenge,” he said.

“You need to have the right attitude to be successful, and a bit of luck.”