Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld still is not at the very top level, says pundit.
Former Premier League midfielder Robbie Savage has told The Mirror he feels Toby Alderweireld is not yet proven as a world class player.
Alderweireld is regarded among the very best centre-backs in the Premier League, after superb back to back seasons at Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.
Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld celebrates scoring their first goal
He has continued his excellent form at Spurs this season, with the North London side currently possessing the best defensive record in the division.
Savage says that Alderweireld let himself down at Euro 2016, when his Belgian side were beaten by Wales in the quarter-final, and cannot boast of being at the very top level yet.
Belgium’s Toby Alderweireld celebrates after scoring their first goal
He explained: “I like Toby Alderweireld at Tottenham – he is probably the most influential member of an excellent defensive unit, but is he world-class?
“He didn’t look quite up to that standard for Belgium in the Euros. Of the Premier League’s current crop, John Stones has the biggest potential to graduate to world-class stature.”
Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany waves to fans as he walks off to be substituted after sustaining an injury
Savage went on to add that John Stones’ Manchester City teammate Vincent Kompany was, in his view a world class player in 2012, but injuries make that no longer the case.
From a Belgian perspective Kompany’s injury is a frustration, but Alderweireld has the perfect replacement already, with his clubmate Jan Vertonghen, who at times has found himself used at left-back in the Belgian side.
Many of whole Belgium team from Eden Hazard to Kevin de Bruyne have had labels like world class and ‘golden generation’ bestowed upon them, but unless they reach the final of an international tournament and go on and win it, they will likely be regarded as a team of nearly men.
Toby Alderweireld scores a backheel for Belgium
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