According to a report from Football Insider, Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho looks set to snub an Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld partnership in central defence for the season, with alternative options like Davinson Sanchez and summer signing Joe Rodon preferred. 

Dier, who is currently out injured, has been utilised as a makeshift centre-back in recent months alongside the rotating pair of Sanchez and Alderweireld, but Mourinho is now set to avoid the same mistake at 'all costs'.

Mourinho snubs Dier and Alderweireld

Indeed, the Englishman and Alderweireld will apparently not be paired together at the back for Spurs except as a 'last resort', according to insiders from the club via Football Insider. 

In recent matches, Sanchez and the Belgian have been paired due to Dier's injury, with Mourinho set to keep that partnership even upon the latter's return to the side.

Both will play separately beside either Sanchez or Rodon, but staff at the club are looking to avoid a Dier-Alderweireld partnership, mainly due to a lack of pace.

Transfer Tavern take

Given Spurs' failure to land Milan Skriniar in the summer, Mourinho will have to improvise and find an adept centre-back pairing which can propel his side to silverware this season.

Most recently, the Lilywhites capitulated at home to West Ham in a 3-3 draw, and with Burnley looming on Monday, Mourinho needs to think of the best way to organise Spurs' defence - even with Dier injured.

In other news: Spurs missed out on this young star in the summer despite his family 'rooting' for a move, find out more here and don't forget to comment below with your views.