Tearful Eric Dier discusses Dele Alli interview and wishes he could have done more to help him

Eric Dier could not hold back the tears as he spoke for the first time about his former Tottenham team-mate Dele Alli's brave interview.

Dele opened up to Gary Neville in The Overlap podcast this month about the problems in his life, ranging from being sexually abused as a child, dealing drugs as an eight-year-old to a sleeping pill addiction while a footballer.

In an emotional interview, the former Spurs star admitted that he contemplated retiring from football at just 24 due to his unhappiness in the game.

Dele confirmed that is in a good place now after spending some time in a rehab facility to help with his mental health. The 27-year-old, Everton midfielder has been widely praised following the interview with the hope that many others will be inspired to discuss their mental health and seek help with any hurdles they face in life.

Dele namechecked his close friend Dier and Harry Kane among those who tried to guide him at Tottenham.

Dier and Dele became something of a double act at Spurs, the former becoming an older brother of sorts to the midfielder and their heart-warming relationship remains strong today.

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During Spurs' time in Singapore this week, after painting with some underprivileged youngsters at the Children's Wishing Well charity, Dier sat down and discussed his friend's brave interview.

«Obviously, it was difficult to watch,» he said. «Lots of stuff, not everything, but quite a lot of it I knew already. I was with him just a week before, he was at my wedding.

“I don’t know what to say about it. I don’t want to say anything that I haven’t said to him. I wouldn’t do that. For me it was, as I said, it was difficult to