Go for it Conte: Signing Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld could help Chelsea mount a serious title challenge
According to the Sun, Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Toby Alderweireld is wanted by London rivals Chelsea at the end of the season.
Alderweireld is expected to leave Tottenham once the transfer window opens after failing to agree to a new contract with the north London club. The Belgian has a year left on his current contract and Spurs, therefore, are willing to cash in on him this summer and as per the Sun, Chelsea will have to ready a £45million bid.
Antonio Conte secured the Premier League title in his first season at Stamford Bridge, having arrived in England in 2016. His title-winning team was built on a strong defence and a formidable attacking force. Apart from Cesar Azpilicueta, the likes of Gary Cahill and David Luiz are no longer regular starters at the club.
The collective chemistry in defence, which was the formula to last season’s title triumph has been disrupted, leading to Chelsea’s failed title defence this term. It is not that Chelsea’s defending has been woeful this season but when things go wrong at the back, they go terribly wrong.
That is one of the major reasons why Chelsea should try their level best to sign Alderweireld in the summer. Alderweireld is regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League and without a doubt, he would walk straight into any team’s defence. He has been one of Spurs’ star performers in recent seasons.
However, the Belgian has barely featured this season due to a hamstring injury. Furthermore, the ongoing dispute over his contract has seen him make just 18 appearances in all competitions. Despite suffering through an injury-hit campaign, Alderweireld has performed well whenever he called upon by Mauricio Pochettino.
Alderweireld is a steady, calming and imposing presence at the back. He is extremely disciplined and alongside compatriot Jan Vertonghen, he formed a formidable pairing at the back for Spurs.
The 29-year-old also has the pace which, in combination with his football intelligence, allows him to cope with Premier League’s some of the best attackers. Apart from that, he would also help instil a winning attitude in the Chelsea team which they have lacked sorely since the start of this season. His combination of power and pace would also serve very well for the Blues.
In every way, Alderweireld would improve Chelsea’s defence significantly and help them mount a serious title challenge next season.
But for now, Conte has enjoyed something of a mini-revival as he has got his side again in the reckoning of a top-four finish and taken the team into the FA Cup final. Despite a lot of speculation surrounding his future, the Italian must now focus on finishing the season on a high by winning the FA Cup.