Monaco defender Eric Dier is a major doubt for next week’s Champions League clash against his former club Tottenham Hotspur after sustaining a right hamstring injury during training on Thursday. The experienced centre-back picked up the injury in what was described as a routine session and is now awaiting the results of further medical assessments to determine the extent of the damage.
The setback means Dier will miss Monaco’s upcoming Ligue 1 fixture against Angers this weekend, which also marks the first match in charge for newly appointed head coach Sebastien Pocognoli. The injury comes at a critical juncture for the French side, who have been struggling with defensive consistency in recent weeks and were hoping to rely on Dier’s leadership and experience at the back.
The 31-year-old defender has been an integral figure in Monaco’s campaign so far, bringing composure and tactical awareness to their defensive setup. His potential absence for the trip to Tottenham will be particularly disappointing, as it would have been his first encounter against the North London club since leaving them in 2024. Dier spent a decade at Spurs, making over 360 appearances and playing a key role in their run to the 2019 Champions League final.
After leaving Tottenham, Dier joined Bayern Munich, where he helped the German giants secure the Bundesliga title last season before moving to Monaco. His strong start in Ligue 1 had made him a crucial figure in the team’s ambitions to compete both domestically and in Europe.
Monaco are already facing a defensive crisis, with several key players unavailable. Christian Mawissa, Vanderson, and Denis Zakaria are all sidelined due to injuries, while uncertainty still surrounds Paul Pogba’s potential return to competitive action. This growing list of absentees leaves Pocognoli with limited options as he prepares for both domestic and European challenges.
Dier’s injury will force Monaco’s coaching staff to rethink their defensive strategy ahead of the high-stakes Champions League encounter. The club will hope the injury is not severe and that Dier can recover swiftly to rejoin the squad. However, with early signs suggesting a hamstring strain, a cautious approach is likely to be taken to avoid aggravating the issue.
For Monaco, the focus now shifts to maintaining stability and ensuring squad depth compensates for the loss of their defensive leader in the crucial weeks ahead.
