Why Manchester United must sign Toby Alderweireld from Tottenham
Manchester United have already purchased three players this summer but rumours linking them with a move for Belgium star Toby Alderweireld seems to be building up. The defender is one of the most valued centre-backs in English football and has been one of the key players in Tottenham’s resurgence as a top-4 club in the league.
Mourinho needs a central defender and that should be his priority this summer. Diago Dalot is seen as one for the future and he has already covered his midfield requirement by signing Fred. The question remains, should United sign Alderweireld?
Premier League experience
Alderweireld has massive Premier League experience, having played for Southampton before appearing for Tottenham. His defensive attributes alongside Jan Vertonghen have made him a stalwart for Spurs, who have emerged as one of the most exciting sides in recent times. Buying him, even at the age of 29, represents excellent value for money and performance.
The £60m-rated Belgian is coming on the back of a semi-successful World Cup campaign and has close to three years of defensive strength left in him.
A commanding presence at the back
United have not had a defender capable of commanding the backline effectively ever since Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand left the club. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones aren’t the players who would seem dominant sitting in central defence while Alderweireld is that player who can really dominate and bully other attackers.
Alderweireld is also someone who can contribute from an attacking perspective with his heading ability. His strong physique allows him to always push strong forwards while also managing the back-four with his communication skills. These are just some of the reasons he was included in the Premier League Team of the year back in 2017.
Better player from the back
United like to play out from the back and there’s no better player than Alderweireld to help them continue that trend. One of his biggest strengths is his ability on the ball and his passing range, despite being a defender.
The likes of Lukaku can feed off the long balls being played by Alderweireld and this can help link the defence and the attack much better.
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While Alderweireld missed most of last season due to injury, he still has what it takes to once again emerge once as one of the best in the league. His rise has been instrumental in the way both Spurs and Belgium have risen and United must make a move as soon as possible.