Antonio Conte says Eric Dier can be one of the best centre backs in the world

Antonio Conte has piled praise on Eric Dier and believes the English defender can go on to become of the best centre backs in world football.

Dier has been one of Tottenham's best players so far this season and has played every minute in the Premier League since the arrival of Conte.

While Conte acknowledged that the 27-year-old is not the finished article he believes Dier has huge potential to be among the best in the business.

'Eric Dier can become one of the best players in the world in that position,' Conte told reporters ahead of Wednesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final with West Ham.

'For sure he needs to work and continue to improve and understand the movement with the defensive line.

'He has to lead more, because in that position you have to speak a lot because you have to stay in the middle, at the back where you can see everything.

'He has a great space for improvement but we are talking about a really good player, strong physically with a good personality and good technically because he was a midfielder.'

Conte added: 'This role is perfect for him. He has to continue this way because he can become one of the best central defenders.'

Fans have been left impressed with the early signs of Dier until Conte with his performances akin to what they saw in yesteryear from Toby Alderweireld.

Dier is an exemplary passer with the long diagonal Alderweireld mastered and Conte is using Dier as a ball-playing centre back given his comfort in midfield, as well as defence.

Dier completed 51 of his 58 attempted passes in Tottenham's 2-2 draw against high-flying Liverpool at the weekend and was praised for his role in nullifying Mohamed Salah.

In a back three alongside Ben Davies and Davinson Sanchez in the Liverpool draw, Dier looks at home in Conte's preferred back three system.

Earlier this month Dier spoke of the 'tough' training sessions Conte launched on his arrival to galvanise a side that was floundering under his predecessor, Nuno Espirito Santo.

'There's been tough training sessions, which is a good thing,' Dier told Sky Sports News. 'The boys have really enjoyed the time we've had and the tough sessions.

'A lot of us were here under (Mauricio) Pochettino so we were prepared in some way. It's been really enjoyable to work in that way and to really push ourselves.

'The manager has an incredible passion and intensity towards football, but off the pitch he's very personal.'

Dier and Conte will look to make home advantage count on Wednesday night in their last-eight meeting with West Ham in the Carabao Cup.

Spurs have failed to win a trophy since winning the League Cup competition back in 2008.