Toby Alderweireld

[Snarfalicious]

Just released by SkySports:

Belgian international Toby Alderweireld has hinted he would be open to the prospect of following former Ajax colleague Jan Vertonghen to England.
The 23-year-old defender, who has been with Ajax

his whole career, has been linked with a move away from the Eredivisie.
Alderweireld saw Vertonghen receive offers from both Arsenal

and Tottenham as he departed Ajax this summer, and he admits a move to North London would be something he considers.
"If the time is right, it will come, but now Ajax is the most important thing," he told AT5.
"Therefore I expect that I can be watched in the ArenA after the winter break.
"Ajax is a very nice club. It won't be hard to play here all my life - but if I had to choose it have to be a nice club like Ajax again and there aren't many of them.
"But a club such as Arsenal or Tottenham. They are fantastic clubs and would be a step forward."

For me, he strikes me as a summer signing. Dawson/Gallas could very well be gone in the summer (if not sooner), and to have a CB corps of Kaboul, Caulker, Alderweireld and Vertonghen would be a spoil of riches. Alderweireld has a lot of experience at RB as well.

But, he sounds just like Vertonghen before his move to us. Very talented guy.

 

[We'llWinThePrem]

Would make sense when Gallas leaves/Dawson is sold

 

[Blackcanary]

Belgian, you say?! Sign him up!

In all the interviews i've read with boys from Ajax they seem ridiculously mature, grounded and level-headed. They're a credit to the club.

 

[Snarfalicious]

Belgian, you say?! Sign him up!

In all the interviews i've read with boys from Ajax they seem ridiculously mature, grounded and level-headed. They're a credit to the club.

They do a fantastic job of not only bringing up quality talent, but quality characters. Eriksen is another one. Danish, yes, but his views on stating he wants to become more consistent before moving on screams a mature individual who knows that this time where he can almost be sheltered by Ajax is enormous for his growth.

Back to Toby, I think he has a really bright future ahead of him, and he looks to be a great add for any club looking for a young CB. If I'm being completely honest, I think Arsenal make the most sense for him between the two. He could be with another Belgian in Vermaelen, and I have no doubt he could impress more than Mertesacker/Koscielny. Much more difficult for him to break in here with the likes of Kaboul/Verts/Caulker.

 

[only1waddle]

They do a fantastic job of not only bringing up quality talent, but quality characters. Eriksen is another one. Danish, yes, but his views on stating he wants to become more consistent before moving on screams a mature individual who knows that this time where he can almost be sheltered by Ajax is enormous for his growth.

Back to Toby, I think he has a really bright future ahead of him, and he looks to be a great add for any club looking for a young CB. If I'm being completely honest, I think Arsenal make the most sense for him between the two. He could be with another Belgian in Vermaelen, and I have no doubt he could impress more than Mertesacker/Koscielny. Much more difficult for him to break in here with the likes of Kaboul/Verts/Caulker.

Shame.On.You.

 

[Snarfalicious]

Shame.On.You.

I know. It hurt writing that...

I'm going to go puke in the toilet now.

 

[Snarfalicious]

I pray we start raiding the Eredivisie and Ligue 1 for talent. So much young, quality talent that will be looking for a bigger stage. Alderweireld being one. Eriksen, Mertens, Maher, Clasie, Narsingh, Strootman, Wijnaldum (Eredivisie) and Belhanda, Aubameyang, Haidara (Ligue 1) would all be fantastic additions. Just so much talent that doesn't have to come from the big names being touted about.

 

[Syn_13]

I pray we start raiding the Eredivisie and Ligue 1 for talent. So much young, quality talent that will be looking for a bigger stage. Alderweireld being one. Eriksen, Mertens, Maher, Clasie, Narsingh, Strootman, Wijnaldum (Eredivisie) and Belhanda, Aubameyang, Haidara (Ligue 1) would all be fantastic additions. Just so much talent that doesn't have to come from the big names being touted about.

Some great names there. Belhanda is quality, orchestrated a hell of a lot for Montpellier's league win last year and without him Giroud is half the player. I'd love him at Spurs.

 

[ButchCassidy]

Would Ajax do loan-backs? I'd like to see us go in for Alderweireld and Viktor Fischer and leave them at Ajax for a year or two to develop. Might be a cheaper option for us.

 

[CJMurray]

Would Ajax do loan-backs? I'd like to see us go in for Alderweireld and Viktor Fischer and leave them at Ajax for a year or two to develop. Might be a cheaper option for us.

Can't see it personally. Would be pretty tragic on their part. Makes them look small-time.

 

[Antilokhos]

I have no idea how good this kid is, but it seems a strange one. Kaboul, Caulker, and Vertonghen are all relatively young. I can't see us dropping much money on another CB when we have 3 top class ones already. Perhaps if we sold Dawson, but this is definitely an odd one, especially as he's young, but he's not THAT young.

 

[not_tenth-again]

I like him as a player, but to me it says we're worried that Kaboul's knee injuries are catching up with him.

 

[dontcallme]

I think he can play right-back as well. I imagine he's more likely as a summer signing.

A choice of:

Right back - Walker, Alderweireld
Left back - BAE, Rose
Centre back - Kaboul, Vertonghen, Caulker

Have Smith as backup at right-back in an emergency and we're pretty set.

 

[Antilokhos]

I think he can play right-back as well. I imagine he's more likely as a summer signing.

A choice of:

Right back - Walker, Alderweireld
Left back - BAE, Rose
Centre back - Kaboul, Vertonghen, Caulker

Have Smith as backup at right-back in an emergency and we're pretty set.

It is my understanding that the club is pretty high on Smith as the future RB of the team, even to the point of displacing Walker. If that's the case not sure we would need a part time RB to come in. If there is truth to this, I believe not_tenth may be correct in that we are worried about Kaboul long term.

 

[Blake Griffin]

I like him as a player, but to me it says we're worried that Kaboul's knee injuries are catching up with him.

that or he's not playing ball over a new contract

 

[dontcallme]

that or he's not playing ball over a new contract

Or that we've identified a talented young player we might be able to sign.

 

[allatsea]

Or we are prepared to sell Dawson and let Gallas's contract expire next summer and want cover.

 

[DJS]

It is my understanding that the club is pretty high on Smith as the future RB of the team, even to the point of displacing Walker. If that's the case not sure we would need a part time RB to come in. If there is truth to this, I believe not_tenth may be correct in that we are worried about Kaboul long term.

Where'd you hear this mate?

Would be cool if Smith is that highly rated as always nice to have some homegrown players in the first team / squad.

 

[Antilokhos]

Where'd you hear this mate?

Would be cool if Smith is that highly rated as always nice to have some homegrown players in the first team / squad.

Just what I picked up from reading reports from Windy, others who have followed our youth teams closely, as well as reading the loan reports. There is also this article about Millwall wanting to extend his loan for the rest of the season. In it AVB is quoted as saying their are Premier League teams who want to loan him for the 2nd half, and that he wants to make sure Smith is in a position to continue his development.

http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/sport/foot..._loanee_as_premier_league_duo_hover_1_1757578

 

[Mouse!]

Where'd you hear this mate?

Would be cool if Smith is that highly rated as always nice to have some homegrown players in the first team / squad.

I think it was Tim Sherwood who, this summer, said he could see Smith being Spurs future RB. Will find the quote...

EDIT: Here it is - http://www.newsatden.co.uk/8012-sherwood-smith-could-be-first-choice-at-spurs-in-future.html

"At this stage he just needs to go out and get some games. He could play in the Premier League. It just takes longer for these boys to get their opportunity but he's got a great chance of making his way at Spurs.
"Kyle Walker and Kyle Naughton are both England internationals and Adam is already playing for the U21s. He wouldn't be playing at that level on a regular basis if he wasn't Premier League standard.
"At this moment in time, we think he could be the future for Tottenham and we want him to continue to learn. He's a great lad, has a good attitude and he'll knuckle down."