Player watch: Toby Alderweireld

[dtxspurs]

They’d still have defensive problems. Fact is, he just isnt nearly as good as he once was.

His “demise” is so greatly over stated due to everyone’s views on him and his contract situation. He’s been excellent for most of the season and is still one of the best CBs in the prem.

 

[ClintEastwould]

His “demise” is so greatly over stated due to everyone’s views on him and his contract situation. He’s been excellent for most of the season and is still one of the best CBs in the prem.

I think him personally getting embarrassed by Gnabry and that Brighton fella has made people think he’s declining. Other than those games he’s been largely adequate and no discernibly better or worse than he’s ever been.

 

[rabbikeane]

Pairing him with just Vertonghen won't have done him any good neither, you can say the two are in decline, but it's a physical decline due to age. They can still be excellent, but it's a point in their career where they must be played to their strenghts. Either through being paired with faster younger partner, or in a system where there's less space behind them and preferable protection in front of them.

Even at his peak, Vertonghen looked like a clown when we had no midfield protection ahead of him. Could say that's been an issue for the two belgians in the later stage of Pochettino's era as well.

No doubt in my mind that Alderweireld will perform with excellence for at least two and a half season still.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

Pairing him with just Vertonghen won't have done him any good neither, you can say the two are in decline, but it's a physical decline due to age. They can still be excellent, but it's a point in their career where they must be played to their strenghts. Either through being paired with faster younger partner, or in a system where there's less space behind them and preferable protection in front of them.

Even at his peak, Vertonghen looked like a clown when we had no midfield protection ahead of him. Could say that's been an issue for the two belgians in the later stage of Pochettino's era as well.

No doubt in my mind that Alderweireld will perform with excellence for at least two and a half season still.

Out of Alderweireld and Vertonghen it’s Toby whom still has energy left in the tank with Jan showing a physical decline. As a centre back pairing their best days are behind them. It doesn’t however mean that we can’t continue to play one of them. For me I would be give Toby a new deal and either play him alongside the much younger and more athletic Sanchez and/or bring in another energetic centre back to play alongside Toby. Jan has been a great servant but given his age and physical decline I don’t see how we would be willing to give him a new deal beyond a 12 month extension.

 

[dtxspurs]

I think him personally getting embarrassed by Gnabry and that Brighton fella has made people think he’s declining. Other than those games he’s been largely adequate and no discernibly better or worse than he’s ever been.

Yep, felt like the City and Liverpool game specifically he was incredible.

 

[coy-spurs1882]

Our defensive problems are mainly due to lack of a proper DM. If we have Wanyama and Dier at their best times now I'm sure our defense would be much better

 

[FibreOpticJesus]

Our defensive problems are mainly due to lack of a proper DM. If we have Wanyama and Dier at their best times now I'm sure our defense would be much better

Agreed and Jan is our best left back (not wing back) and we look more compact when he plays in that position.

 

[yankspurs]

I think him personally getting embarrassed by Gnabry and that Brighton fella has made people think he’s declining. Other than those games he’s been largely adequate and no discernibly better or worse than he’s ever been.

He’s gotten embarrassed more than that. He’s lost a step or 2.

 

[rabbikeane]

All players lose a step or two when they turn 30, then they gain one or two in their head.
The trick is to place them in situations and systems where they can play to their strenghts.
Make sure they aren't exposed for their weaknesses.

We've held an open house for most of 2019.

 

[Timberwolf]

Pairing him with just Vertonghen won't have done him any good neither, you can say the two are in decline, but it's a physical decline due to age. They can still be excellent, but it's a point in their career where they must be played to their strenghts. Either through being paired with faster younger partner, or in a system where there's less space behind them and preferable protection in front of them.

Even at his peak, Vertonghen looked like a clown when we had no midfield protection ahead of him. Could say that's been an issue for the two belgians in the later stage of Pochettino's era as well.

No doubt in my mind that Alderweireld will perform with excellence for at least two and a half season still.

I think it's no coincidence that Jose has not played Jan and Toby as a pairing once since he's come in. He clearly thinks we need at least 1 quick CB at the back and, barring injuries, I wouldn't be too surprised if we never see that back pairing again.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

I think it's no coincidence that Jose has not played Jan and Toby as a pairing once since he's come in. He clearly thinks we need at least 1 quick CB at the back and, barring injuries, I wouldn't be too surprised if we never see that back pairing again.

I agree but it would also rule Dier out as a centre with Toby or Jan as he’s even slower than the 2 aforementioned players.

 

[Timberwolf]

I agree but it would also rule Dier out as a centre with Toby or Jan as he’s even slower than the 2 aforementioned players.

Yeah, I think he'd more likely be partnered alongside Sanchez if Toby and Jan are injured or leave, rather than in place of Sanchez. It also remains to be seen whether Jose considers Dier a viable 1st choice CB option or primarily as a DM/CB cover.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

Yeah, I think he'd more likely be partnered alongside Sanchez if Toby and Jan are injured or leave, rather than in place of Sanchez. It also remains to be seen whether Jose considers Dier a viable 1st choice CB option or primarily as a DM/CB cover.

I think Dier has the remainder of this season to prove himself otherwise he’ll be for the chopping block. With Mourinho looking like he favours at least one quick centre back he’ll definitely need to bring in at least one more mobile centre back in Jan/summer.

 

[dirtydave]

Dier has pace and was bought as a centre back - give him a chance. I don't see the urgency of buying a new CB this January when we have quite a few options plus youngsters like Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and Luis Binks for further cover.

Blow the budget on one right back, who can play wing back, and I'm satisfied. Aurier can then play whilst the new signing settles.

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

Dier has pace and was bought as a centre back - give him a chance. I don't see the urgency of buying a new CB this January when we have quite a few options plus youngsters like Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and Luis Binks for further cover.

Blow the budget on one right back, who can play wing back, and I'm satisfied. Aurier can then play whilst the new signing settles.

My tired scrotum has more manoeuvrability than Dier

 

[King of Otters]

Dier has pace and was bought as a centre back - give him a chance. I don't see the urgency of buying a new CB this January when we have quite a few options plus youngsters like Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and Luis Binks for further cover.

Blow the budget on one right back, who can play wing back, and I'm satisfied. Aurier can then play whilst the new signing settles.

Dier is hardly pacey, but I still think he'll be a CB if he's going to succeed at the top level. He just isn't mobile enough to be a top class DM.

 

[SpursTillIDie1882]

Dier has pace and was bought as a centre back - give him a chance. I don't see the urgency of buying a new CB this January when we have quite a few options plus youngsters like Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and Luis Binks for further cover.

Blow the budget on one right back, who can play wing back, and I'm satisfied. Aurier can then play whilst the new signing settles.

Dier has no pace

 

[dirtydave]

A quick google suggests Dier has pace plus I've seen him run. I doubt he scores highly on manoeuvrability but how many CB do?

Tottenham Hotspur's fastest player revealed as Eric Dier - Yedlin has serious competition!

Eric Dier has been named as Tottenham Hotspur’s fastest player so far this season. Tottenham Hotspur’s fastest player of the season so far has been...

www.hitc.com

 

[spursgirls]

A quick google suggests Dier has pace plus I've seen him run. I doubt he scores highly on manoeuvrability but how many CB do?

Tottenham Hotspur's fastest player revealed as Eric Dier - Yedlin has serious competition!

Eric Dier has been named as Tottenham Hotspur’s fastest player so far this season. Tottenham Hotspur’s fastest player of the season so far has been...

www.hitc.com

I agree he has pace but that article is five years old so things might have changed for him.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

Dier has no pace

A pacemaker is more accurate lol