Jenas ignored the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli in his selection.
Former Tottenham Hotspur star Jermaine Jenas told BBC Sport after the magnificent 2-0 win over Chelsea on Wednesday night that defensive rock Toby Alderweireld is the single most important player in the Spurs team.
Spurs recorded a fifth consecutive league win in outstanding fashion at White Hart Lane as they became the first team in three-and-a-half months to beat the league leaders.
Dele Alli headed home a Christian Eriksen cross either side of half-time to lift the North London side up to third in the table.
It was arguably Tottenham’s best performance of the season, and one which announced their intent to the world to be a serious challenger for the Premier League title this term.
The solid foundation for their win was Mauricio Pochettino’s three-centre-back system which saw Alderweireld partner Jan Vertonghen and Eric Dier in the centre of defence.
After the game, Jenas said that Pochettino’s system worked wonders against the Blues, and singled out Alderweireld as the most important player in the Spurs starting XI.
The former midfielder told BBC Sport: “The combination of that three at the back works because of the balance, at times there towards the end you saw Eric Dier and Jan Vertonghen freeing themselves up and that was the big change in the second half for me.
“The minute Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld started dropping a few passes in behind it was a question Chelsea weren’t able to answer.
“Alderweireld is the most important player in the team.”
The Belgian defender has certainly been an integral part of Pochettino’s side since his arrival from Atletico Madrid in 2015.
He played in every single Premier League game in first season at the club last term, and has continued to be selected each week when available this season.
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