ERIC DIER was surprised to see Tottenham team-mate Harry Kane miss out on a nomination for the Ballon d’Or.
The Premier League’s top scorer for two seasons running failed to make the 30-man shortlist, with Jamie Vardy being the only Englishman nominated.
And Dier couldn’t understand why Vardy was selected ahead of Kane.
He told the Evening Standard: “Leicester won the Premier League but that doesn’t mean to say Harry should miss out. He had a fantastic season.
“To be top scorer in the league after the slow start he had was a brilliant achievement. He could have been on that list, though I am sure he is not too bothered about it.”
Kane starred for Spurs last season but a dreadful Euro 2016 where he didn’t score in four games probably ruled him out for the gong.
However Dier says Tottenham have a lot of players who will be able to compete for the Ballon d’Or in future if they show the right attitude.
“We have many players who can be on it [the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist] in the future, though, if they want to. It is a matter of working hard and trying to improve.”
This season’s Ballon d’Or will be the first since 2009 to be decided solely by a panel of journalists after FIFA withdrew their name from the award.
Between 2010 and 2015, a combination of national team managers, captains and journalists decided the FIFA Ballon d'Or winner.
As well as Vardy, Sergio Aguero, Kevin de Bruyne, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Hugo Lloris, Riyad Mahrez, Dimitri Payet and Paul Pogba were nominated from the Premier League for the award.
Keep up to date with ALL the Tottenham news, gossip, transfers and goals on our club page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary by clicking here
Leave a comment