Tottenham's Eric Dier has admitted that Arsenal legend Tony Adams has had an impact on his career.
The 21-year-old has been deployed - and excelled - in a midfield role by Mauricio Pochettino in the early stages of this season but his primary position is centre back.
Dier has benefitted from an unusual footballing education given that he was born in England but spent the majority of his childhood in Portugal before he signed for Spurs from Sporting Lisbon last summer.
Although his formative years were spent abroad Dier still counts the ex-England and Arsenal defender as one of the figures that he looks up to, which could irk the Spurs fanbase given Adams' stature in the red half of north London.
“Tottenham fans might not be happy with me for this, but I met Tony Adams quite a few times. He came away with us when I played for England when I was younger and it was great to be around him.
“I think it was when I was with the Under-19s," Dier recalled. "One day in training we were a player short so he trained with us - and it was great.
“It was unbelievable. I don’t know how old he was at the time by his body was past it, yet he managed to cope because he could read the game so well and just talked non stop."
Adams is regarded as one of Arsenal's greatest captains and Dier is adamant that he wants to become a leader at Spurs once he has established himself in the side.
Tottenham's new stadium - In Pictures
“I hope leadership is something I grow into more. It is something that comes naturally as you become more cemented in a team. I have only been here a year but hopefully I can become one.”
Tottenham claimed their first win of the Premier League season against Sunderland on Sunday afternoon as Dier produced a solid display in the centre of the park
