LONDON -- Ledley King has backed Eric Dier to follow in his footsteps by moving out of midfield to become a "world-class centre-back" for Tottenham and England.
Versatile Dier rotated between right-back and centre-back last season, but this term has seamlessly moved into a holding-midfield role, establishing himself as a key player in Spurs' Premier League title challenge.
The 22-year-old has missed just one league match this season -- through suspension -- and five in all competitions, and he is being widely tipped to be England's holding midfielder at Euro 2016 after impressing and scoring in the 3-2 win over Germany last month.
King spent time in midfield as a young player before returning to defence and he hopes Dier will eventually follow suit.
"I don't want to be disrespectful but I still think he'll be a centre-back and that's nothing to do with his performances in midfield, because he can clearly play there," King told ESPN FC at the launch of Barclays' Spirit of the Game trophy competition. "If he was to move back to centre-back, he would be even better there, especially given his experience in midfield."
Dier, who joined Spurs from Sporting Lisbon in 2014, has returned to the back four on occasion this season and says he is happy in either role, while Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino has refused to be drawn on his best position.
King says Dier will improve his game by playing in the congested centre of the pitch but believes the final decision must be his.
"You see the game a lot more clearly. That's what I was able to do after playing in midfield. Centre-half felt like a doddle and that can be true for Eric as well," added King.
"You play in midfield as a centre-half and find time on the ball in an area that's congested. When you get to the back, it's easier. You have time on the ball and you're more comfortable. You see the game a lot more clearly. The game comes to you.
"That's something he can do, it'll help him. I feel he can be a world-class centre-back after having this experience in midfield. But it's up to him. I always knew I wanted to be a centre-half.
"You have to know in your own head where you want to play and then you have to earn the opportunity, and then you have to show you can take your level higher in your favourite position.
"If that's what he wants to do, then that's the way he has to do it. He looks like he's enjoying playing in midfield, so it's up to him."
Dier was one of five Spurs players in Roy Hodgson's England squad for the recent friendlies against Germany and Netherlands, with Dele Alli, Danny Rose and Harry Kane all starting alongside him in Berlin.
Alli, 19, starred against the world champions to continue his remarkable rise since arriving at Spurs from MK Dons in the summer and King is confident the teenager will get even better.
"I've been most impressed with his temperament," said King, who retired in 2012 after persistent knee problems.
"I expect him to improve to become an even better player. The world is his oyster at the moment. As long as he keeps a good head on his shoulders, keeps progressing, keeps working hard and has no injury problems, he's going to be a big player, not just for Spurs but for England."
Like Alli, centre-back Toby Alderweireld has been a pivotal player for Spurs since signing in the summer and the Belgium international has earned comparisons with club legend King for his tackling, reading of the game and ability on the ball.
"He's been unbelievable," King added. "It's not just his defending but his ball playing ability as well. He's made a good few goals this season and he's scored a few as well. It's not easy to come to a new club and perform at such a high level in your first season but his performances have been great."