Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Toby Alderweireld is unsure about his future at the North London club beyond this season. In a recent interview with Sky Sports News, the Belgian defensive ace said, “There’s a lot to play for this season. And in the end I have a year contract left at Spurs, so I don’t look further than this season.
“Other things I don’t know. I am very happy at Spurs, so we will see what the future brings.
“I still feel very fit. I think I played a lot of minutes this season so I showed that I am fit – I don’t feel 30, I feel younger.
“So as I said, I am very happy and I just try to watch game-by-game. This season there is a lot to play for so I will give my best for that.”
The Belgian talent’s recent words indicate that he is only looking to focus on this campaign and is not sure about his long-term future at the club. Sky Sports has also mentioned that Alderweireld has a £25m release clause in his Spurs contract which will be activated in the summer. Hence, there is a real chance that Mauricio Pochettino might look to cash in on him rather than risk losing him for free at the end of next season.
The 30-year-old has enjoyed another solid campaign with the North London outfit this season as he has formed a formidable defensive partnership with Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez. He is widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs in Premier League football so it will be a big blow for Spurs if they do end up losing him at the end of this campaign.
The former Ajax defender has made a total of 26 league appearances for Spurs this term, making an average of 1.0 tackles and 0.7 interceptions per match in the Premier League. (Stats taken from Whoscored.com)
His departure could leave a massive hole in the Tottenham backline, and it won’t be easy for Pochettino to find a suitable replacement who can be of the same mould as Alderweireld. The Belgian has failed to win a trophy during his time with the North London outfit so there is every reason for him to switch clubs in the summer. All signs point towards Alderwerield’s exit from White Hart Lane especially if an elite European club come calling for his services during the summer transfer window.
