Despite starting their transfer season very late compared to their competitors, Tottenham Hotspur have made pretty solid acquisitions in the ending weeks of the window. The Lilywhites have one of the most balanced sides in the Premier League and any arrival this summer was a major upgrade to the squad.
Apart from the sale of Kyle Walker to Manchester City, Mauricio Pochettino hardly needed any replacements to his side. The remaining two arrivals of Davinson Sanchez and Fernando Llorente were only brought in with the sole motive of giving more competition.
Spurs have really emerged as a title contender over the past two seasons shedding the impediments that have thwarted their way to success previously and one of the most important reasons for that has been their unshakeable defence.
Pochettino had brought in Toby Alderweireld from La Liga side Atletico Madrid in his second season in charge at White Hart Lane. The Belgian has since then partnered impeccably with compatriot Jan Vertonghen in Spur’s central defence keeping Spurs alive in the trophy hunt in the long and gruelling Premier League till the last few weeks. The fan favourite has been unwavering in his displays and has never been in danger of leaving the club until now.
According to recent reports, Toby Alderweireld’s advisor, Stijn Francis, has insisted that the club must offer the player suitable terms or get ready to sell him next season. Alderweireld’s contract expires in 2019 and the player had stated in July that there have been no developments in his contract talks yet.
Francis said to The Sun, “When you look at Toby’s statistics, they are impressive. Either he deserves an appropriate contract, or else he should be given a transfer. Seven or eight big European clubs are interested in signing him. There are not many central defenders around who can play like he can. But these clubs will have to negotiate with Tottenham’s chairman, Daniel Levy.”
A central defender by nature, Alderweireld can play in the defensive midfield as well as from the right defensive flank. At 28, he is at the peak of his abilities and is one of best passers in the side. His disciplined, no nonsense defending has earned him laurels from all across Europe and Tottenham won’t be willing to part ways with him under any condition.
However, Spurs are just one step away from arch-rivals Arsenal in terms of crisis. The Gunners are in danger of losing key players now owing to their conservative wage structure and lack of major silverwares. Levy knows that sooner or later the club will have to stretch its wage limits in order to retain their star players.
