Nine while nine
Undead
- Jan 28, 2011
- 5,690
- 79,369
At varying times throughout this season, I've looked at the team and thought how well one particular player has been doing. Rose was immense in the early part of the season. Eriksen has been truly outstanding in recent months. Dele, Kane and Son have all had spells where they've been golden in front of goal. There was a short period of time where even Bus-Conductor felt moved to pay Walker a compliment or two.
But while these players' form has ebbed and flowed, four players at the heart of our team have played consistently well throughout. Dembele has been majestic, Wanyama bestial and Alderweireld serenely impressive. But, frankly, I bloody expect them to be. Jan, on the other hand, started this season under a slight cloud. He'd never quite hit the heights of his first season. He'd not signed a contract extension. After Wimmer's performances last season, he appeared to be the player we could most easily replace from within. He was, let's face it, a bit of an old moody chops in a team full of schoolboy handshakes and silly grins. His star was on the wane.
Yet, from the very start of this season, Jan has been on it. He is part of the best defence in the land. He is solid in a back four. He marauds impressively as part of a back five. He lost Toby to his right and continued to keep the defensive unit strong. He lost Danny to his left and continued to keep the defensive unit strong. He's just turned 30 and is turning out wonderfully energetic performances for a manager who prizes youthful athleticism. Oh, and he can strike a ball too. He may not be man-of-the-match in that many games, but, for me, he's almost always in the top three performers in any game we play.
Jan Vertonghen. Top, top player.
But while these players' form has ebbed and flowed, four players at the heart of our team have played consistently well throughout. Dembele has been majestic, Wanyama bestial and Alderweireld serenely impressive. But, frankly, I bloody expect them to be. Jan, on the other hand, started this season under a slight cloud. He'd never quite hit the heights of his first season. He'd not signed a contract extension. After Wimmer's performances last season, he appeared to be the player we could most easily replace from within. He was, let's face it, a bit of an old moody chops in a team full of schoolboy handshakes and silly grins. His star was on the wane.
Yet, from the very start of this season, Jan has been on it. He is part of the best defence in the land. He is solid in a back four. He marauds impressively as part of a back five. He lost Toby to his right and continued to keep the defensive unit strong. He lost Danny to his left and continued to keep the defensive unit strong. He's just turned 30 and is turning out wonderfully energetic performances for a manager who prizes youthful athleticism. Oh, and he can strike a ball too. He may not be man-of-the-match in that many games, but, for me, he's almost always in the top three performers in any game we play.
Jan Vertonghen. Top, top player.
