Eric Dier enjoyed his return to international action, as England Under-21s began their new Euro Qualifying campaign with a win in Norway.
The Tottenham Hotspur player hasn’t featured for the Three Lions since last October’s Euro play-off win in Croatia.
But he has slipped straight back into his favoured position of central defence in Gareth Southgate’s new-look side and was put to the test in Drammen against a Norwegian side playing at the top of their game.
Norway 0-1 England
UEFA European U21 Championship
Qualifying Group 9
Monday 7 September
Marienlyst Stadium, Drammen
“It was a good result,” he said after the 1-0 victory.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game and we were only together for a week or so, so it was important that we won and we done that.
“That was probably the toughest game we’re going to face in the group, so we’re happy.”
While they may be fierce rivals on the domestic front, Dier and Arsenal defender Calum Chambers have already formed a solid base at the back.
The pair started last week’s win over USA in Preston and continued that partnership in Drammen.
And the former Sporting Lisbon player admits he’s got a good feeling about the back five, with both Joe Gomez and Matt Targett at full-back and Jordan Pickford in goal contributing towards the success.
England U21s defender Calum Chambers
“I think we understand each other well and I’ve played with him [Chambers] before once or twice, so we both know what each other does and we have two good full-backs who have been playing regularly for their clubs,” he added.
“Jordan’s a good keeper. He’s been through the age groups fairly quietly with England and he made some good saves.
“I hope that, along with the other players that have been here before, as experienced players with the U21s, we need to help the younger ones and try and do better than we did last year.”
Dier admits that he reported for U21 duty last week feeling as strong as he has done since arriving at White Hart Lane last summer.
He missed out on selection for the Euro Finals with Southgate’s squad and, while that was a disappointment for him, it also allowed him to work on his condition for the new campaign.
“I was upset not to go [to the Euro Finals], but I had a good summer and came back for pre-season, which has really helped me,” he revealed.
“I feel great now, pre-season was very tough at Tottenham and it was my first one in three or four years because of international tournaments so I feel really good because of it.”
Dier and his Three Lions squad mates will be back on home soil next month when they face Kazakhstan at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on Tuesday 13 October. Tickets are on sale now - click here for more details.
