Eric Dier has revealed he made the decision to become a centre-back before Jose Mourinho replaced Mauricio Pochettino as Tottenham boss.
The 26-year-old arrived at Spurs as a defensive midfielder and was predominantly used in that position for a number of years while sometimes filling in at centre-back.
However, after years of playing in the heart of midfield, Dier felt it was the right time to drop back and take up his preferred position in defence last year before Pochettino was relieved of his duties as manager.
And while Belgian duo Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen were the club's strongest centre-back pairing for many years, Dier revealed that Mourinho gave him the chance to shine in defence last season – something the England international is grateful for.