Jan Vertonghen Talks Tottenham Teammate Alderweireld

So much has been discussed about Toby Alderweireld’s debut season with Tottenham Hotspur, that it’s only right to here more from his compatriot and long-time teammate, Jan Vertonghen.

Over on Tottenham’s official site, they broke down what Spurs’ defense had just achieved from this past season with the help of Toby Alderweireld as well as the rest of the team after a successful year.

With Tottenham conceding an unsightly 53 goals last season for a top five team, an overhaul in the defense’s backline was needed. Players like Younès Kaboul, Vlad Chiricheș and Federico Fazio would no longer be on the squad.

Kaboul and Chiricheș were sold while Fazio was eventually loaned to Sevilla this past January. Basically, Mauricio Pochettino knew his team’s defense was lacking so he made it the focal point last summer by signing three defenders.

In came center-backs Kevin Wimmer and Toby Alderweireld and right-back Kieran Trippier. Each player were key additions that played a key role during Tottenham’s 2015-16 campaign, but none had a bigger impact than Toby Alderweireld.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 05: Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at White Hart Lane on March 5, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Per Tottenham’s official site (link above), the 35 goals that Spurs conceded this term is their best in the Premier League and second-best of all-time in a top flight season. Spurs’ best goals against ever, is 33 in Division One during the 1970-71 season.

Because Tottenham not only had — for a majority of the entire season — the best defense as well as the number one offense, the north London club’s goal difference of plus-34 was the highest from the 2015-16 Premier League campaign.

Continuing on, while the Lilywhites conceded five goals to Newcastle United, Spurs managed to be level with Manchester United for the joint-best record of goals conceded in the Premier League with 35.

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And finally, just a reminder. Tottenham played 53 games this season in all competitions, with Toby Alderweireld making an appearance in 49 of them. He was on the bench for two more games which were in the FA Cup so in total the 27-year-old was selected on Mauricio Pochettino’s 18-man matchday squad for 51 games.

Obviously to be selected that many times shows how integral Alderweireld was during Spurs’ title run-in while helping the Lilywhites finish third and earn automatic qualification for the Champions League next season.

It’s something that Jan Vertonghen isn’t surprised about. In fact, to see Toby Alderweireld win a host of individual honors with five, proves Vertonghen’s point that Alderweireld has done this kind of thing before.

“Toby did the same at Ajax and in the national team, he came in and didn’t need any time to adapt,” said Vertonghen.

“He’s been great for us and he’s a great guy for the group as well, so relaxed and down to earth.”

“We know how we play. We want to play in the same way so we know how we want to defend, how much space to leave at the back and we just cope with it.”

“We know how to protect each other and we don’t even have to speak much on the pitch, we just understand how we want to play.”

“Together with the full-backs and Hugo, Eric Dier, Mousa and whoever plays in front of us, the rest of the team has done a great job to offload us, so full compliments to them as well.”

Next: Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld Earns Yet Another Honor

Jan Vertonghen also made sure to give a shout-out to Kevin Wimmer who managed to play brilliantly in 15 matches while Vertonghen was sidelined with a MCL injury.

“Kevin did great whenever he came in, he fitted in perfectly,” added Vertonghen. “There was never a doubt. Kevin is a great player and he did what everyone expected of him.”

Essentially, it was a complete team effort and why Tottenham had the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League along with Manchester United.

But, that being said, Toby Alderweireld joining Spurs from Atlético Madrid is no doubt one of the main reasons the Lilywhites’ defense was great this past season.

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