Eric Dier has revealed "it hurts every time" he is left out of the England squad, as he insists he has done all he can to be included.
Dier lifts lid on England heartbreakEyeing the 2026 World CupWants to play for his country againFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Dier has won 49 caps for England but has not played for his country since the World Cup last-16 win over Senegal in 2022. That is despite a move to Bayern Munich, where he won the Bundesliga and played in a Champions League semi-final. England, of course, have appointed Thomas Tuchel as their new manager but he has not included Dier in any of his squads thus far.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Dier played under Tuchel for Bayern and has laid his cards on the table; he is desperate to return to the England setup, particularly ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He has left the German club and is now playing for Monaco in Ligue 1.
WHAT DIER SAID
Dier told the Telegraph: “Yeah, it hurts (being left out). Every time it hurts. But hopefully I can make a change.
“To be completely honest with you it’s been quite frustrating because in the last two years I was playing for Bayern and playing well.
“I played pretty much every game, won the league and played in the quarter-final and semi-final of the Champions League. So, I’m playing in those games. I felt like I’d done everything I could to be in the squad. But it just hasn’t happened.”
Asked if he has spoken with Tuchel, he replied: “No, no, I spoke a few times with his assistant, Anthony [Barry]. We know each other from Bayern, we know each other well and obviously those conversations are private.
“But my intention is clear. I want to get back in the England squad. I felt over the last two years I’ve been playing the best football of my career. I feel in a very good place with my game.”
AFPWHAT NEXT?
England play Andorra and Serbia in World Cup qualifiers this weekend. Dier will likely be a keen observer.