The Tottenham manager once again hailed the midfielder for his tackle against Spain

Eric Dier’s crunching tackle on Sergio Ramos showcased the spirit and attitude of Tottenham, according to manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Dier was booked for the aggressive slide tackle, which was largely unnecessary, on Ramos during England’s 3-2 Nations League win over Spain.

Pochettino said the challenge showed the attitude that had been developed at Spurs, and the manager was proud.

“The tackle was nice, eh? The tackle was good. He touched the ball. He was aggressive,” he said.

“In England, it’s never a foul. Of course, in Europe it’s different but in England it’s never a foul.

“But to be brave like this… look, Dier, a holding midfielder, was pressing Sergio Ramos in the penalty area and that is the mentality that – from day one – we tried to translate to the players.

“Of course, I feel proud about that. It’s a fantastic attitude, that always we need to keep pushing.”

Dier’s tackle came four minutes before Raheem Sterling opened the scoring in an incredible first half by England, who led 3-0 at the break.

Pochettino, whose team face West Ham on Saturday, said challenges like Dier’s early in games could set the tone.

“The signal that you send to your opponents is important,” he said.

“To say, ‘We are not scared of you. We come here and we want to beat you’. We can play good or bad but always it’s about the attitude. With different attitudes, sure, the game would be completely different and have different results.

“With only talent you cannot beat any team. But talent with attitude is everything.”

The teenager could break the Barcelona and Juventus stars’ Ballon d’Or duopoly this year for his heroics for PSG as well as at the World Cup

Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe is on track to match the levels of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Ludovic Giuly.

Mbappe has established himself as one of the world’s finest young players for Monaco and PSG over the last two seasons.

A Ligue 1 champion with both clubs, the 19-year-old won a clean sweep of domestic honours at Parc des Princes last term before lifting the World Cup with France, scoring in the 4-2 final win over Croatia in Moscow.

And Giuly, who won titles with PSG and Monaco either side of a successful spell with Barcelona, thinks Mbappe is on the way to becoming a leading figure in world football.

“We admire his progress, what he is doing. If he wants to become like Ronaldo or Messi… he’s on the right track,” Giuly told Omnisport, speaking as part of the Nissan UEFA Champions League trophy tour in Paris.

“You have to be consistent. That’s what he does. He has to win titles. That’s what he does. So, it’s up to him to protect himself well and be careful [with] what happens around him.”

His form has seen him backed as one of the favourites to end Messi and Ronaldo’s 10-year dominance of the Ballon d’Or, and Giuly certainly thinks he will get his hands on the prize at some stage in his career.

“There are a lot of players on the list. We would like to see a French player [win it], whether it’s him, whether it’s [Antoine] Griezmann… They have the merit of being in the race to win it. 

“He is 19 years old, so he has the time to improve. So, if he doesn’t win it this year, he may win it next year or in two years. That is all we wish [for] him. It’s complicated to win this award right now. But he could win it with what he’s doing today. He’s on the list.”

Mbappe has formed a devastating attacking partnership with Neymar, but Giuly insists the goalscoring threat of Edinson Cavani should not be forgotten.

“It’s three players, because there’s also Cavani. It’s a trio,” he added, with PSG set to face Cavani’s former club Napoli on Wednesday. “Mbappe, Neymar are players who like to play. It is important that they get along well for the group and for themselves, because it can be annoying otherwise.

“They have quality. There is one technical and fast player and the other one who goes at 2000km an hour and who is good with his feet. It’s a good duo. It’s good for PSG if there is a good atmosphere in the team. But let’s not forget Cavani.”

Our Fantasy writer picks out the biggest stars from this week’s European matches including Barcelona, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, Roma, and more

It was another week of defensive dominance in the Champions League as nine of the 16 matches this week featured a clean sheet. This trend was certainly reflected in Fantasy as well with the maximum amount of defenders allowed (five) making it into our Team of the Week. To see who they are, and who else made the cut from round three, just keep reading!

GK: Fernando Muslera – Galatasaray – 1 Game, 6 Saves, 1 Clean Sheet = 10 Points

DEF: Achraf Hakimi – Borussia Dortmund – 1 Game, 3 Assists, 1 Clean Sheet = 16 Points

The left-back sure had an incredible Wednesday. Not only did Dortmund shock Atletico Madrid with a 4-0 victory, but three of those goals were assisted by Hakimi. Earning the clean sheet at the end was just the cherry on top of this performance which earned him the title of Goal Fantasy Player of the week. Looking forward, assuming he starts the remaining Champions League matches, Hakimi looks an amazing value costing just 5.5m!

DEF: Raphael Guerreiro – Borussia Dortmund – 1 Substitute Appearance, 2 Goals = 15 Points

DEF: Aymeric Laporte – Manchester City – 1 Game, 1 Goal, 1 Clean Sheet = 14 Points

DEF: Jordi Alba – Barcelona – 1 Game, 1 Goal, 1 Clean Sheet = 14 Points

Any fears that Barcelona would struggle without Lionel Messi were swiftly put to bed as Barcelona cruised to a comfortable 2-0 win over Inter Milan. Alba’s contributions were significant again, this time as he picked up his first Champions League goal of the year. Currently, no defender has more assists or Fantasy points than the Spaniard which makes him worth owning for the rest of the group stages, and beyond.

DEF: Rafinha – Bayern Munich – 1 Game, 1 Assist, 1 Clean Sheet = 10 Points

MID: Mohamed Salah – Liverpool – 1 Game, 2 Goals – 14 Points

After a three-week goal drought, Mohamed Salah has now scored three goals in the last five days! The brace was a big part of Liverpool’s win against Red Star Belgrade which propelled them to the top of Group C. As for Fantasy, this was the first time the Egyptian scored in this competition which has reduced his value somewhat, especially considering he’s still the second most expensive midfielder in the Goal game. That having been said, he could still prove to be worth his price tag as his next Champions League match will also be against Red Star.

MID: Jesus Corona – Porto – 1 Game, 1 Goal, 1 Assist = 11 Points

MID: Bertrand Traore – Lyon – 1 Game, 1 Goal, 1 Assist = 11 Points

FOR: Edin Dzeko – Roma – 1 Game, 2 Goals, 1 Assist = 15 Points

After his brace this week, no player has scored more Champions League goals than Dzeko this season (five). In fact, he’s now only three goals behind his tally from last season’s campaign in which he played eight more matches. That goal tally has pushed him to the top of the heap in the Goal game in total points and, in this kind of form, the Roma man is a must own regardless of matchup.

FOR: Andrej Kramaric – Hoffenheim – 1 Game, 2 Goals = 12 Points

The star defenders were solid once again as the Serie A champions preserved their perfect start to their Champions League campaign against United

Juventus centre-backs Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci could lead a masterclass in defending at Harvard University, Jose Mourinho said after the Italian side beat Manchester United 1-0 in the Champions League.

Paulo Dybala’s goal 17 minutes into the game at Old Trafford on Tuesday proved enough for an away win as United were unable to find an equaliser.

Although Mourinho was happy with his side’s efforts in an improved second-half, he felt the strength and expertise of the visitors’ veteran defenders made it an impossible job.

“Things were not coming [off], but everybody tried, everybody was strong, everybody was strong mentally to try until the end,” he said at a press conference.

“Juventus felt it and, instead of the control they had in the first half, in the second half they defended and they ended the game with an extra central defender to add to the amazing Chiellini, the amazing Bonucci.

“Mr Bonucci and Mr Chiellini could give some Harvard University classes about how to be a central defender. A team with everything – they have talent everywhere, all over the pitch. So it was a really difficult match for us.

“I thought before the game, and during the game, I thought that we could take something out of this game, but it was not possible. We didn’t manage to score but I’m happy with the players.”

Although he acknowledged that Massimiliano Allegri’s team are superior to his own, he felt a draw would have been a fair result based on his team’s hard work.

“Juventus have a different level of quality and stability and experience and knowhow and at the base of the team, they have Bonucci and Chiellini,” he said. 

“That’s the base that allows them to play with the freedom that they play in attack. With Cristiano [Ronaldo], with Dybala, with people creating. Lose the ball? No problem, we are here, so I think probably the effort of the boys would deserve a goal in the last minute of the second half. We deserved a draw, a point, but it was not possible. But I have no complaints with my boys. I have a positive feeling towards their effort and on Sunday [against Everton], we have another match to think about.”

United are second in their Champions League group and five points behind Juventus after three games, and Mourinho is aware that first place may be beyond his team.

“Since the draw, we’ve known it’s going to be a fight with Valencia for the second position and that is what we are going to try [to do]. We knew that since the beginning.

“We have four points, three matches to go. In every match we can get points like today – we could get one. But I believe this is going to the last match in Valencia which is a normal situation when the group has a super team like Juventus and two good teams like us and Valencia.”

The German playmaker put in an inspirational performance for the Gunners against Leicester, with his efforts having earned widespread praise

Mesut Ozil has been hailed as “world class” by Arsenal team-mate Alex Iwobi, with the German boasting match-winning ability despite often looking “laid back”.

The World Cup-winning midfielder showcased those talents in his most recent outing as he inspired Unai Emery’s side to a 3-1 victory over Leicester – their 10th successive win in all competitions.

After seeing the Gunners fall behind to a Hector Bellerin own goal, Ozil set about hauling the hosts back into the game at Emirates Stadium.

He restored parity before helping to lay on two efforts for substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with the Foxes unable to contain his vision and creativity.

Iwobi is delighted to be performing alongside a global star and believes Ozil does not get the credit he deserves for his overall impact in north London, telling reporters: “I have been training with him since I was 17 and I have seen what he can do.

“The quality he has is not just in training. He is a world-class player and he proved that again last night.

“He gives me advice in a different way.

“He jokes around but always tells me I can do more – even last night, he was saying I can do more, he is always one of those guys.

“But he is always happy, always telling me and giving me the confidence to express myself, so it helps me.

“Mesut will come across as laid back but he is helping everyone in a different way and he helps me a lot.”

While Iwobi has benefited from working with Ozil on a daily basis, he has also seen the arrival of Emery as successor to Arsene Wenger unlock greater consistency in his game.

The Nigeria international added on the progress he is making in 2018-19: “For me, he has just given me confidence to express myself.

“To believe in my ability, which I have been trying to show, and also in training, he is always letting me try new things, be positive, be direct and prove it in the game.

“It is working for me, so I just have to keep it going.

“I’d just say I am more confident.

“I feel that, even if I make a mistake, I am able to go again. I think that is the difference between me last year and this year.”

A-League chief Greg O’Rourke confirmed the Central Coast Mariners had made an offer to Usain Bolt.

The Central Coast Mariners’ offer to Usain Bolt is “much, much less” than the Olympic great originally wanted, according to A-League chief Greg O’Rourke.

O’Rourke confirmed the Mariners had offered Bolt, 32, a deal after the sprinting superstar went through a trial with the club.

But Bolt will need to accept a smaller offer than he expected to fulfil his footballing dream, with Football Federation Australia (FFA) not funding any part of the deal.

“There’s nothing on the table in writing from FFA or funding from the marquee fund as we’ve said from day one,” O’Rourke told SEN on Monday.

“The marquee fund has secured players like [Melbourne Victory attacker] Keisuke Honda and [W-League star] Sam Kerr, people with football pedigree. Bolt has yet to become a professional footballer anywhere in the world.

“Having said that, I understand from Central Coast Mariners that they have tabled an offer to Bolt’s management, which he is currently considering.

“That offer is much, much less than what they were originally requesting. If Usain wants to join that club and become a professional footballer, he should follow a journey pretty similar to other trialists, not withstanding for a minute the amount of marketing that somebody like Bolt – the fastest man in the world – can bring to Central Coast and to the broader A-League.”

O’Rourke said he felt fans would prefer the governing body in Australia to use its money in other areas.

“There were some marketing conversations about contributions towards attendances, appearances fees if you like,” he said.

“In terms of funding him as a footballer, FFA has been consistent that they won’t fund him as a footballer.

“It won’t change. Football purists would say if you have some money to invest, we don’t think you should put it into a trialist like Usain.”

The Mariners opened their A-League season with a 1-1 draw against Brisbane Roar on Sunday.

The Guinea international midfielder will play no part against Huddersfield, but the Senegalese attacker could be in line to return

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed Naby Keita is likely to miss the trip to Huddersfield Town but left the door open for Sadio Mane to feature on Saturday.

Keita picked up a hamstring issue while playing for Guinea as Liverpool’s injury problems piled up during the international break.

Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk overcame their fitness issues to train on Thursday, although forward Mane was absent after undergoing hand surgery.

Klopp is yet to decide whether the 26-year-old forward will be involved against Huddersfield, who are yet to register a win in the Premier League this season.

“A few of the boys trained and we have to see how they react,” the Reds boss told the media.

“The only thing that’s pretty sure is that Naby will not be available. With all the rest, we have to see how it develops.”

Netherlands international Van Dijk could come in for close attention from Huddersfield following Ronald Koeman’s revelation the defender has been carrying two broken ribs.

Klopp, however, removed any doubt over the key centre-back’s readiness for the contest.

“You saw when he went off against Southampton [that something was wrong]. Virgil would not leave the pitch without major problems,” the German said.

“I would say it has healed pretty quickly. Footballers very often have to play with some kind of pain. He has no problems with that anymore.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Fabinho is close to a Premier League debut having surprisingly been overlooked since his arrival from Monaco.

“There’s only one reason [he has not played] – because other players fit better in the moment,” Klopp added. “I really think about who plays in each position. It will always take time for a new player to close the gap.”

Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci earned praise from the Red Devils boss after helping the dominant Bianconeri to victory at Old Trafford

Jose Mourinho was fulsome in his praise for experienced Juventus defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci after they helped a side at “a different level” to shut out Manchester United in the Champions League.

Paulo Dybala’s 17th-minute goal was enough to extend Juve’s perfect Group H record to three wins from three on Tuesday as Cristiano Ronaldo made a winning return to Old Trafford.

United struggled to break the Serie A champions down, although Paul Pogba hit the post with a late effort that rebounded to safety off Juve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

Bonucci revealed in the build-up to the match he turned down the chance to sign for United as he instead opted to rejoin Juve after a single year with AC Milan.

And Mourinho was clear that Italy defenders Chiellini and Bonucci made the difference against United, who have won just one of their last seven games in all competitions.

“In the other side was huge quality and sometimes when we speak about quality people look for Cristiano, Dybala or [Miralem] Pjanic,” Mourinho said to BT Sport . 

“But in a top team you have to look to Chiellini and Bonucci, Juventus are this kind of team when they are in front it’s very, very difficult for them to concede.

“Our attacking players were not with, I say it in a funny way, ‘honey in their feet’, but everyone tried and everyone was strong to try to the end.

“Juventus felt it and instead of their control in the first half they had to defend and added an extra central defender [Andrea Barzagli] to the amazing Chiellini and Bonucci.

“Really difficult for us. I thought before and during the game we could take something but we couldn’t manage to score.”

Mourinho appeared to aim another barb at United’s board for not investing in defenders as he expanded on his praise for Juve’s defensive duo.

“I have to say they [Juve] are a different level and if people don’t want to accept that it’s their problem,” Mourinho added.

“They are a different level of stability, experience and knowhow and at the base of the team they have Bonucci and Chiellini, it allows them to play with the freedom in attack, creating and losing the ball, ‘no problem, we are here’. 

“With the effort of the boys we deserved a draw but it was not possible. I have no complaints with my boys, a positive feeling to the effort, and on Sunday we have another match.”

United return to action in the Premier League against Everton on Sunday.