Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports during their live coverage of Tottenham’s defeat at Manchester City on Saturday that Toby Alderweireld is now ‘past his best’.
The Belgium international, who moved to North London in 2015, was an unused substitute at the weekend against City.
For numerous weeks now, Jose Mourinho has been chopping and changing his backline, but to no avail as no-one seems to be taking their chance.
Former Champions League winner Carragher touched up Tottenham’s troubles at the back and their previously popular pairing of Alderweireld and the now-departed Jan Vertonghen.
“You just think about the team Tottenham had two or three years ago,” said Carragher. “Jose almost has to change and try to get back to those days of old where they are guaranteed a top-four.
“You just look at the centre-back position where they had Vertonghen and Alderweireld at the peak. For a stage, they were possibly the best centre partnership for a year or two certainly in the Premier League.
“You look at that position now. I think they have four players who play in there and there’s no real standout now. I think Alderweireld is possibly past his best.”
Tottenham have a backline that is in decline and was in decline months before Mourinho walked through the doors.
At right-back and at centre-back, there are clear problems for the North London outfit, who are now in a serious battle for those European spots.
When the current Premier League champions are fearing that they might not get Champions League football, then not many, other than Man City, should be comfortable, at this moment in time.
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