According to Belgian publication, DH, Toby Alderweireld is now ready to commit his long-term future at Tottenham Hotspur. The defender’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and he was linked with a move away from north London. However, the arrival of Jose Mourinho has now convinced him to prolong his stint at his current club, meaning he would be open to signing a new contract.
That being said, Alderweireld is also allowed to talk to other non-English clubs regarding a pre-contract agreement from January. And in this article, we will discuss three reasons why Spurs must not let that happen and should, instead, extend his contract.
The face of the Spurs backline
It’s needless to say that Alderweireld is currently the face of the Tottenham defence. The Belgian has been performing consistently for the past few years, and his experience at the highest level of football would be invaluable for the club, going forward.
Indeed, Alderweireld has already notched up over 150 appearances in the Premier League – making him one of the most experienced defenders currently playing in the English top flight.
And with Jan Vertonghen gradually nearing the end of his career, it might be time for Alderweireld to step up and become the real leader for Spurs. His leadership and experience would help the younger individuals like Juan Foyth and Davinson Sanchez, both of who are blessed with immense talent.
A strong relationship with Mourinho
DH has claimed Alderweireld was one of Mourinho’s top targets when he was at Manchester United. It is enough to suggest the fact that the manager holds the defender at high esteem, which, in turn, could be critical in revitalising his career at Tottenham, following the departure of Mauricio Pochettino.
Alderweireld can surely expect more game-time and won’t certainly be rotated as much as he was forced to, under Pochettino. And given Mourinho’s knowledge about the player, coupled with his defence-oriented style of play, Alderweireld could really thrive under the Portuguese mastermind.
Competitive market
If Alderweireld does end up leaving Tottenham Hotspur, it’s going to be extremely difficult for the club to find an ideal replacement, especially in the January transfer window. It’s already hard to secure the services of quality players these days, due to the immense competition in the market.
There are options available in Ruben Dias of Benfica as well as Caglar Soyuncu of Leicester City. But, a host of top European will also be vying for their signatures. Therefore, the event of Alderweireld’s departure from Tottenham could create real problems, which is why the Lilywhites should extend the contract of the Belgian ace as soon as possible.
