Toby Alderweireld has sent a touching message to Mousa Dembele after the Belgian star announced he will be retiring at the end of the season. Alderweireld played alongside Dembele for Tottenham, and Belgium.
There had been talk on Tuesday that 34-year-old Dembele has retired completely – but the midfielder took to Instagram to tell fans that he will not be retiring until the end of the new 2022 Chinese Super League campaign.
Indeed, he has a year remaining on his Guangzhou City contract – and CSL campaign behgins towards the end of April. During his time at Tottenham, he clocked up an enormous 249 appearances – earning iconic status.
The majority of Spurs players that have been asked about the best player they have played with will tell you, it is Dembele. Alderweireld alluded to it in his heartfelt message – labelling his ex-Spurs teammate the GOAT.
He also paid tribute to Dembele – with both regulars for Belgium over the years. Dembele played 82 times for his country, and 567 appearances at club level. He might even reach a huge 600 in the coming season.
Alderweireld on Dembele: Mistake made by Tottenham selling Belgian
The powerhouse was an underrated yet crucial cog of a Tottenham side that should have won a major honour under Mauricio Pochettino. Since his departure in January 2019, Tottenham’s midfield has never been the same.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is a good player, but Harry Winks and Oliver Skipp are some way below the standard of Dembele. Despite being 31 years of age when he left Spurs – they should have kept him.
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