‘It wasn’t nice’… England international admits he found his time at Everton very ‘tough’

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Eric Dier has been looking back on his brief stint at Everton, having departed England just last month.

The English defender, who enjoyed nine and a half years with Tottenham Hotspur, actually started his career in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon.

However, in an effort to briefly further his development, the decision was made to send him to Goodison Park for an 18-month stint back in 2011.

Clearly making a big impact, with David Moyes even reportedly attempting to sign him permanently, he decided that Lisbon was his home and that he could not turn his back on them just yet.

And now, speaking to Everton once again, he has revealed the challenges that his Merseyside tenure conjured.

What Eric Dier has said about Everton

In an interview with the official club site, he combed through his impressive career, which strangely for the England international, began in Portugal.

It was likely this Mediterranean upbringing that aided his ball-playing foundations, with the year at Everton helping build the physicality that he would become known for under Mauricio Pochettino both in defence and midfield.

Eventually returning to England with Spurs, he became a mainstay in one of their most successful periods in recent history, despite floundering towards the end of his time there.

And he suggests that the trials and tribulations he met with at Everton helped him massively in overcoming many obstacles throughout his career.

The 30-year-old noted: ‘It was tough. Now when I look back, I look at it fondly. But at the time, it was tough. To be honest, for the first six months, it wasn’t nice for me.

‘I was very comfortable and happy in Portugal – that was part of the reason why I needed to come to Everton. It was also one of the reasons I benefited so much from it.

‘The transition was hard for me. I had lived in Portugal most of my life so coming to a new country was hard for me, even though it was England. It was completely new surroundings and a bit of a culture shock both in life and football.’

Eric Dier did enjoy a fine Premier League career

Whilst many might remember Dier as a defensive liability who was often a lightning rod for criticism during the final few years of his time in north London, there was a time when he was revered in England.

After all, there was a uniqueness to his play style, with a bruising 6 foot 3 figure but a desperation to continue playing good football.

As such, he typified the early days under Pochettino, thriving beside the silky Mousa Dembele.

Now a regular for the mighty Bayern Munich, it is impressive the manner in which he has climbed to the top despite coming under intense scrutiny during the final few years of his time in England.

Regardless, he enjoyed a fine career in the Premier League, and will now be looking to add some silverware to his cabinet before calling time on a remarkable tenure playing at the highest level in football.