Tottenham signing Toby Alderweireld plays more long balls than any Premier League defender

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Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld has played more long ball passes than any defender in the Premier League this season.

Toby Alderweireld has been one of the signings of the season – instantly transforming Tottenham Hotspur’s defence into one of the meanest in the Premier League.

The Belgian was even described by Jamie Redknapp in The Mail as the best defender in the top flight.

His partnership with Jan Vertonghen has been key to his early success, with the duo complementing each other in style.

Vertonghen is comfortable with the ball at his feet and willing to take the ball out of defence, while Alderweireld is happier to play the ball long.

He does this with real success, for he does not simply hoof the ball down field. He has completed more accurate long ball passes than any defender in the Premier League this season.

Alderweireld has completed nine more long passes than former teammate at Southampton Jose Fonte, and is already on the way to surpassing his total from last season.

There is one player at Tottenham who joined him this summer, who by far eclipsed his total last year – former Burnley man Kieran Trippier.

Part of the reason Alderweireld has had so much success in this area this season is the excellent hold up play of Harry Kane.

Kane’s presence in the air, and ability to hold the ball up is key for his team, and part of what makes him an ideal striker for Mauricio Pochettino’s system, and Alderweireld is proving another essential part of it.