Jan Vertonghen has paid tribute to ‘brilliant’ Eric Dier.

The young defender has enjoyed quite a debut season at the club.

He was drafted in for his Premier League debut in the opener at West Ham where he started at centre-back, then moved to right-back after Kyle Naughton’s red card and then scored a dramatic winner in the last minute.

Eric then scored on his home debut against QPR and has gone on to make 26 appearances in all competitions including 18 in the Premier League, where he’s partnered Jan in central defence in six of our last seven matches.

“Eric is a brilliant defender,” said Jan, who has started 25 of our last 28 matches in all competitions since mid-November.

“He’s only 20 but he’s been fantastic for us all season, first at right-back and then at centre-back.

“I like to play alongside him, he talks well, defends well and he’s doing great at the moment. He’s a strong guy as well with good feet.

“I’m sure he has a great career ahead of him.”