Why Tottenham Should Do Everything Possible To Hold On To Toby Alderweireld
Tottenham Hotspur have emerged as an elite Premier League force in past couple of years under Mauricio Pochettino, who has successfully transformed them into a title challenger and has earned them a regular Champions League berth. The Argentine boss has successfully retained his core players effectively and despite losing key right-back Kyle Walker to league counterparts Manchester City, Spurs have landed his replacement in form of Serge Aurier who had a couple of impressive spells with French heavyweights Paris St-Germain.
Also, they were extremely active in the final week of summer transfer window as they strengthened their back-line with former Ajax centre-back Davinson Sanchez, and brought in veteran Fernando Llorente (the 32-year old Spaniard who scored 15 league goals the last term for Swansea City) as hitman Harry Kane’s deputy.
Spurs, however, are sweating over the future of their star Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld who is demanding an improved contract offer for quite some time. The 28-year old former Atletico Madrid central defender joined the North London giants for a £11.5million transfer fee following an impressive season-long loan spell with league counterparts Southampton.
He signed a five-year contract back in the summer of 2015. Although his current deal runs out in 2020, Alderweireld has reiterated his desire to double his wage and Spurs, who follow a strict wage structure, now have to decide whether or not to meet his demands.
Alderweireld, the former Ajax Academy prodigy, enjoyed two highly impressive campaigns and settled in perfectly in his new surroundings, alongside fellow countryman Jan Vertonghen, in Tottenham’s deep defence. He has earned a regular status since his arrival and became a key resource in Pochettino’s style of football. He has impressed with his positioning, aerial presence, and strong passing skills, that have helped his side to hold possession as well as build attacking threats.
He has won a lot of aerial as well as physical duels and has pulled off numerous blocks, tackles, interceptions, and clearances, that have made their back-line look unbreakable. He has made Tottenham as one of the best among all Premier League outfits. Despite being known as an attacking outfit, Spurs registered the most number of clean-sheets last season and Alderweireld was a massive influence in sustaining defensive rigidity as well as consistency.
Although Spurs have snapped up Colombian Davinson Sanchez on a six-year contract, Alderweireld is arguably their defensive backbone and Daniel Levy, the Tottenham chairman, must consider Alderweireld’s request of an increased wage.
The market has become massively inflated recently and the players are being paid on a high scale for their respective outfits. However, in Tottenham, only Harry Kane and Hugo Lloris earn around £100,000-a-week. The Belgian international has demanded the same and Spurs must do everything to tie him down for a few more years and grant his wishes, if they are willing to continue their upsurge and challenge for the prestigious Premier League title.