Martin Keown believes Tottenham Hotspur duo Dele Alli and Eric Dier can be England's version of Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit.

The former centre-back had the French greats play in front of him at Arsenal and feels that Spurs young gun Alli can partner his fellow talent Dier in forming a protective shield for the Three Lions' central defenders at Euro2016.

“When I played for Arsenal, I had Vieira and Petit," he said in the Daily Mail.

“When I played international football I never had that sort of protection.

“Dele Alli can do that with Dier, he's got tremendous energy. I think he'll be a vital player for us.

“Pressing high, or getting back to recover, he can do that. Roy's got the tools to do very well. Maybe not win it, but to perform."