Tuchel speaks on Dier's future role: "He can help us immediately."
Just prior to kickoff in last night's 3-0 win over TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, FC Bayern München trainer Thomas Tuchel spoke on the role of newly-acquired English international Eric Dier.
One day after his loan to FCBayern München was finalized, English central defender Eric Dier wasn't yet included in FCB trainer Thomas Tuchel's match-day squad. Speaking to the DAZN microphones last night just prior to kickoff in the 3-0 victory over Hoffenheim, Tuchel told the German broadcaster that he and his coaching staff wished to give the experienced international just a bit more time.
"He only signed last night," Tuchel said, "That would have caused too much excitement. That's why we didn't do it. We have to be patient."
Tuchel did emphasize that he considered the 29-year-old to be a monumentally important acquisition for his side. The Bayern gaffer spoke of "never really having a full squad" during the first half of the campaign, in part due to deficiencies at the center back position. With South Korean international Min-Jae Kim away on international duty, Tuchel immediately declared Dier to be "our third center back" behind Matthijs de Ligt and Dayot Upamecano.
"He can help us immediately," Tuchel stressed, "Firstly because he's in top shape and secondly because - with over 300 Premiership appearances under his belt - he's a sensationally good character. He's very strong in the air on both sides of the pitch."
Tuchel even gave insights into some of his potential future tactics. Even after Kim returns from the AFC Continental Championship, Dier could still maintain a starting role. Whilst speaking to the German broadcaster, Tuchel ruminated on the possibilities of deploying a back-three, back-four, or even back-five.
"He can fill out a back three," Tuchel said, "Maybe there will be a game where we want to defend with five at the back and we won't have to send Leon Goretzka back from the ten, but simply have one more. I think that would do us good."