The Tottenham centre back could underline his world class quality on Sunday, if he gets the better of one Sergio Aguero.
Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld in action with CSKA Moscow’s Lacina Traore
Sunday’s match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City could hinge on a battle between two players arguably in the form of their life – Toby Alderweireld and Sergio Aguero.
It is hard to argue that the Belgian is already the top dog in his position in the division. With Vincent Kompany struggling for fitness every year, and John Terry very much in the latter seasons of his career, arguably only Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has displayed the consistency and quality of Alderweireld over the last two or three campaigns.
Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld gestures
But with Tottenham boasting the best defence in the league so far this season, as well as the joint best last year, it is clear the impact the former Ajax man has had for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, especially considering the year before he joined, the Argentine, and Spurs, had the worst defence in the top 13 sides (they finished fifth).
Alderweireld has been defending with an even greater amount of confidence this year, consciously secure in his ability and integral role within the side. Whether he is marshalling the defence or dominating the opposition, no striker has managed to give Tottenham the run around in the the eight games that Alderweireld has played in. But that could be about to change when he comes up against the Premier League’s form centre forward in Sergio Aguero.
Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring
The City striker has scored 11 goals in seven matches this season, finding the net in all but two of the games he has played in. If Alderweireld and the Spurs defence can keep Aguero quiet at White Hart Lane, the North Londoners have a very good chance of taking three points.
Results last season suggest that may be a possibility. Aguero struggled to make an impact despite starting home and away for the Citizens. Even more intriguingly, of the four games Aguero has featured against Alderweireld in the Premier League (two for Southampton, two for Spurs), the Manchester City star has scored just once – the Belgium international in fact scored more than him last year, registering in the 4-1 home win.
With the form he is in Aguero can be unplayable, but if Alderweireld keeps him in his pocket, helping Spurs close the gap on the league leaders in the process, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say it would confirm his status as the Premier League’s top defender, and gently suggest he could be among the best in the world.
Toby Alderweireld celebrates scoring the second goal for Tottenham against Manchester City last year
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