28-year old Belgian centre-back Toby Alderweireld has been the subject of immense transfer rumours with clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea rumoured to be gunning for the defender. Alderweireld’s current deal runs till for another three seasons but it is also no secret that the Belgian is seeking an improved contract.
The defender signed for Tottenham Hotspur in 2015 on a five year deal with an option to extend it by another year for Tottenham. Although Spurs are unlikely to consider such a move since it would activate his £25m release clause, club chairman Daniel Levy does need to sit down and negotiate a new improved contract for the defender.
The Player’s Performance:
Since making his move from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2015, he has gone on to become one of the top performers in the club. His ability to read the opposition’s game allows him to defend neatly without making unnecessary tackles.
The stats clearly show his smart game with Alderweireld averaging just 0.3 fouls per 90 minutes, a sublime figure when you put it in comparison with the likes of Barcelona’s Gerard Pique and AC Milan’s Leonardo Bonucci who average at 0.88 and 0.93 fouls every 90 minutes.
The highly-intelligent Belgian committed only 9 fouls in 30 Premier League games last season, an astounding fact given that Chelsea ace David Luiz who enjoyed his best season at West London committed 29 fouls in the same time.
His game on the ball also is highly efficient and his ability to distribute the ball and rotate it in defence makes him a wanted player for many top clubs in Europe. He has natural leadership qualities and at the age of 28 he is only reaching his peak as a centre-back.
Will The Player Fit At Chelsea:
A player of his quality would walk straight into any line-up across Europe right now,including Chelsea’s. Although the Blues will have to deal with a problem of plenty, Alderweireld will be an upgrade on Gary Cahill who is ageing fast and looking more and more average with every passing game. What his welcome would do however, is that it would slow down the development of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen with Antonio Conte likely to put Alderweireld along with David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta at the heart of his defence, should the Belgian make the switch.
Chelsea Have Bigger Issue To Address:
While getting an Alderweireld would be a major boost in the backline, Chelsea have bigger issues to deal with. The club is suffering from a serious shortage of players after a mass exodus in the summer and will need to bring in wing backs on the left flank and a recognized striker first to stop them from collapsing. Maybe instead of chasing Alderweireld that is what they should be focusing on.
