Monday 28 March 2016 06:57, UK
Eric Dier believes Tottenham and England are "lucky" to have Mauricio Pochettino embracing and improving home-grown talent.
England came from 2-0 down to beat world champions Germany 3-2 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Saturday night, with Dier scoring a stoppage-time winner after goals from Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy had brought the Three Lions level.
Dier and Kane were joined in the starting line-up by Dele Alli and Danny Rose, while fellow starters Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne made great strides under Pochettino's management at Southampton.
The likes of Luke Shaw, Ryan Mason and Calum Chambers have also represented England after being coached by the former Argentina defender, who Dier was quick to praise after the win in Germany.
"We really enjoyed it and I think all four of us put in a good performance," he said of his Spurs team-mates. "I am really happy for Danny Rose because I think it's a long time coming, really.
"For me, he has been the best left-back in the Premier League this season so I am really happy he got his chance [to play for England].
"Obviously we have to be thankful for our manager as well, for being able to put us in this position by giving us a chance at our club and improving us.
"Obviously us Spurs boys know how lucky we are to have him because he's been brilliant for us.
"He demands a lot of us, always wanting us to improve, always wanting us to be better.
"That's what is able to put us in the position we are now so we're obviously very grateful for him and we want to repay him."
Pochettino's decision to move Dier forwards into a defensive midfield role this season has paid dividends, so too has his trust in Alli.
Less than a year ago, the teenage midfielder was playing in League One for Milton Keynes Dons - now he is favourite for the PFA Young Player of the Year award and expected to feature for England at the European Championships in France this summer.
When asked about the impact Alli has made this season, Dier said: "He has been brilliant. Everyone knows it, everyone has already spoken about it - he has been fantastic.
"Hopefully he will just keep working hard, keep trying to improve and you guys (in the media) don't put too much pressure on him.
"We don't want that but I don't think it bothers him too much. He just enjoys himself, which is really important. I am obviously really happy for him."
