Tottenham player review: Toby Alderweireld
By Gary Pearson
Toby Alderweireld is recognized as one of the best central defenders plying their trade in English football, but how well did he perform in 2016-17 and why is he so highly touted?
You won’t be floored by the Belgian’s statistics and he doesn’t rank amongst the top center backs in any of the well-known categories (tackles, blocks, interceptions, clearances, aerial battles won), mostly because Spurs rarely had to defend for prolonged periods.
He is, however, a steady, calming presence who works incredibly well in tandem with compatriot Jan Vertonghen. Alderweireld said early in the season that he and Vertonghen don’t need to verbally communicate nearly as much as most center back parings due to their innate, tactic understanding.
Alderweireld might not rack up the tackles – 41 in 30 appearances, and he might not light up the headlines, but he’s integral in Spurs continued success.
The 28-year-old, though, excels in statistical categories that bear the most importance.
In 68 appearances over two seasons with Spurs, Alderweireld has only been on the losing side nine times, three of which occurring in 2016-17. Of his 30 appearances this season, Alderweireld was only on the field for 17 opposition goals.
When he does make a tackle, Alderweireld usually comes out on top. He enjoyed an 85 percent tackle success rate and is extremely disciplined, committing a single yellow card all season.
The steady Belgian missed eight games through injury, the nerve damage he suffered on his knee in a 1-1 draw with West Brom in October ending his run of 46 straight league appearances for Tottenham.
It’s that kind of consistency and dependability that has seen Alderweireld ascend to an elite level since joining Spurs from Southampton prior to the 2015-16 season. He’s also one of the most skillful center backs, and has an uncanny and almost unmatched ability to regularly spray pinpoint long balls.
He’s also the kind of ball-playing center back Mauricio Pocchetino’s possession style is predicated on. The gaffer requires a steady, reassuring presence at the heart of defence, someone who never panics and rarely concedes possession.
Alderwerield is that type of center back.
Before the 2016-17 season, he had the enviable record of never being directly at fault for an opposition goal. That unblemished record was bound to come to an end, which it did when the usually automatic Belgian failed to cut out a left-wing cross against Southampton early in the campaign.
It is the only mistake in his Premier League career that directly led to an opposition goal. Not too shabby for a center back who has made 120 top-flight appearances. Versatile and adaptable, Alderweireld is comfortable playing as part of a back three or four, making Pochettino’s life immeasurably easier when choosing his formation.
He’s the complete package.
The main knock on Alderweireld’s season was his inability to help out more on the offensive end. He scored only one goal during the 2016-17 season, a far cry from his four-goal contribution in 2015-16.
Chelsea’s Tim Cahill and West Brom’s Gareth McAuley led all central defenders with six goals.
Alderweireld is one of the most highly touted central defenders in the world for good reason. Now it’s up to Spurs to ensure one of their top commodities stays put. That might mean forking out about £100,000 a week, but it’s money well spent if you ask me.
To win a Premier League title, you must have solid, strong center backs you can unremittingly rely on.
Alderweireld, coming into the prime of his career, is the type of center back title-winning sides are built around, even if he was unfairly snubbed and excluded from the PFA Premier League of the Year.