Hotspur HQ
Fansided

Jose has decided on Tottenham’s best defensive duo

By Gary Pearson

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: Toby Alderweireld of Spurs passes the ball during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolfsberger AC at on February 23, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: Toby Alderweireld of Spurs passes the ball during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolfsberger AC at on February 23, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

After continuously chopping and changing his central defensive pairing, it looks like Jose Mourinho has decided on Tottenham’s best duo. 

A lack of defensive continuity is one of the main reasons Tottenham found themselves ensnared, prior to the thrashing of Burnley on Sunday, in a Premier League slump over the last couple of months.

But Jose has stuck with the same pair, Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez, in three of the last four top flight matches.

While Toby and Davinson haven’t had it all their own way as a tandem, the duo definitely enjoyed their best outing on Sunday. And they also kept a clean sheet against West Brom on Feb. 7. I won’t castigate the pair for their part in the side’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of a rampant Manchester City. The runaway Premier League leaders are dismantling each team they come across, now winning 20 successive matches in all competitions. So one can excuse Toby and Davinson for their inability to quell the most dynamic attack in world football.

Optimistically, Sanchez enjoyed his best performance of the season on Sunday. Sure, it wasn’t against one of the league’s elite sides, but the Colombian showed athleticism, composure, discipline and stability in keeping Burnley off the scoresheet. His agility and ability to make a last-gasp tackle has never been in question, but Sanchez’s propensity for an erratic display has hampered severely his overall progress.

Which is exactly why Sanchez needs a grounding force, somebody to keep him in line, to prevent the Colombian from wandering aimlessly away from his post. Alderweireld has the experience and leadership qualities to harness Sanchez’s raw athletic ability. The aging Belgian centre back is a stabilizing force where Sanchez is concerned.

The pair have been given an opportunity to provide Spurs with a consistent central defensive pairing, something Spurs have lacked for the duration of the campaign.

A crucial element of any winning formula is knowing exactly which two players will consistently marshal the rearguard. It looks like Mourinho has finally come to the conclusion that Davinson and Toby are the duo to stabilize Tottenham’s backline. Though it will be interesting to see if Jose goes back to the pair on an abbreviated rest when Spurs face Fulham on Thursday.

Next. The individual best suited for Tottenham's No. 10 role. dark

Considering how relatively easy Sanchez and Alderweireld had it against Burnley, three days rest should be more than enough when Spurs travel to West London.

Home/Tottenham News