Glenn Hoddle suggests John Stones as possible Alderweireld replacement

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Glenn Hoddle wonders whether Tottenham Hotspur will target John Stones.

Former Tottenham Hotspur boss and current pundit Glenn Hoddle has told the Daily Mail that he thinks Spurs may look to Manchester City’s John Stones if they lose Toby Alderweireld.

Whilst Spurs are on the verge of a top four finish and are challenging for the FA Cup, the future of defender Alderweireld has become one of the hottest topics surrounding the club in recent weeks.

Alderwiereld, 29, has starred in the heart of Mauricio Pochettino’s defence since signing from Atletico Madrid in 2015, forming a strong partnership with Belgium and ex-Ajax teammate Jan Vertonghen.

However, Alderweireld now wants paying accordingly, and with chairman Daniel Levy seemingly unwilling to match his demands, a summer move may be on the cards – before a team can activate the £25million release clause which comes into effect in 2019.

Spurs are already being linked with a host of centre backs in case Alderweireld does leave this summer, but former manager Glenn Hoddle has touted a surprise name for Tottenham.

Hoddle watched England beat the Netherlands 1-0 in Amsterdam on Friday, and told the Daily Mail that he thinks Manchester City defender John Stones should be a surprise Tottenham target if they need to replace Alderweireld.

“It seems strange to think that any player should ever consider leaving Manchester City but I think the only worry for his career is whether he goes on to play enough club football,” said Hoddle. “Pep Guardiola also has Nicolas Otamendi, Aymeric Laporte and Vincent Kompany to pick from so we’ll have to see how it works out for John. Perhaps Tottenham would be interested if they are unable to keep Toby Alderweireld?” he added.

Stones, 23, joined City from Everton in a deal worth £47.5million back in 2016 (The Guardian) and has been an England regular since that move too, with a World Cup starting spot on the cards.

Yet, with competition for places at City so strong, Stones may well have to at least consider leaving the Etihad Stadium at some stage, and his ball-playing nature would certainly mesh well with Pochettino’s style – but whether Daniel Levy would sanction a big-money move for Stones is another matter, even if Hoddle’s idea may in fact be a good one.