Team Focus: New Found Spurs Resilience Built on Belgian Backbone
Of the Premier League’s top seven teams at present, five have at least one Belgian player in the ranks. Maximising the immense footballing talent of this small European nation has become the latest trend among England’s elite, with no fewer than nine Premier League performers called up to Marc Wilmots’ side in the most recent international break. It could well have been more with Vincent Kompany, Thibaut Courtois, Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli all sidelined through injury when the latest squad was announced.
This further emphasises the depth of quality emanating from Belgium at present. England’s best teams are continuously looking to strengthen in order to achieve their goal and are turning their attention towards the small nation sandwiched between France, Germany and Netherlands as a means of doing so. When breaking the figures down further, it’s Tottenham who have tapped into the Belgian market more than any other Premier League team.
The north London side can call on Chadli, Mousa Dembele, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld this season, with the latter the latest to join his compatriots at White Hart Lane. His arrival has coincided with a much-improved Spurs side that is currently on the longest unbeaten run (12 games) in England’s top tier. Importantly, though, only Manchester United (9) have conceded fewer Premier League goals this season than Spurs (11).
While the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen, among others, earn the plaudits, less praise has been sent Vertonghen and Alderweireld’s way. The club worked tirelessly to secure the latter’s signature from Atletico Madrid over the summer after Southampton were convinced they had a deal in place to secure the defender’s signature permanently after a successful loan spell. That did little more than persuade Spurs that he was the defender they needed to launch an assault on the top-4 and the lengthy pursuit is already paying dividends.
A penalty conceded in the 2-2 draw with Stoke on his home league debut has proven to be nothing more than a mere blip in what has been a notable start to life in North London. A WhoScored rating of 7.10 may not be the best return at the club - that honour bestowed upon fellow Belgian Dembele (7.67), a list that Vertongen (7.33) sits fourth in - but highlights his consistency. Alderweireld and Vertonghen have immediately struck up a notable understanding with one another, though that comes as little shock having both come through the ranks together at Ajax and indeed Belgium.
This has played a key role in Spurs’ new found resilience. Last season, the north London side shipped a shocking 53 league goals on their way to finishing fifth, the fifth worst defensive record in the Premier League. However, the improvements made at the back are clear for all to see. Kevin Wimmer and Kieran Trippier may have signed early on to bolster the ranks, but the capture of Alderweireld was the one that mattered most to the club.
Both he and Vertonghen match the needs of Pochettino to instigate attacks from the back. An average of 52.8% possession ranks fifth in the Premier League, while Spurs have gained statistically WhoScored styles of play of ‘possession football’ and attacking through the middle. With the centre-backs pulling wide for goal kicks, this comes as little shock with Alderweireld and Vertonghen crucial to the way Spurs now play. It’s no coincidence that Alderweireld (51.2) and Vertonghen (50.8) are second and third, respectively, for the average number of passes per game of all Spurs players, behind Eric Dier (52.9).
The defender-cum-midfielder will often drop deeper to receive the ball from the centre-backs, helping realise Pochettino’s plan. A key element has been the consistency in the defence. Alderweireld and Vertonghen are the only Spurs players to play every minute (1170) of the Premier League season so far. Such a sturdy backbone clearly resonates throughout the team, meaning those in front and either side of the centre-backs are well aware of their movements both on and off the ball.
This has helped Spurs win countless plaudits in the Premier League this campaign as they maintain their pursuit of a return to Champions League football. A solid defence provides the necessary foundations for further success and Alderweireld and Vertonghen are indeed adhering to the demands of their manager to the benefit of the team. If the Belgian pair can continue their consistent showings in defence, Spurs have all the ingredients required to finish among the Champions League places in England's top tier this term.
How important is Spurs' centre-back pairing to their top-4 hopes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
Belgium could be a genuine Euro/World Cup contender with a different, more tactically aware manager. I'm not surprised Alderweireld and Vertonghen have been good but both still have a game-losing pass in them. As Ben says, it helps having 2 hustling CMs in front, pretty difficult to get through Spurs' centre which has rarely been the case in my 24 years as an Arsenal fan. With Chelsea's flop at the begin of the season and nothing to say they're out of it despite beating Norwich, Tottenham have a real chance of finishing 4th, provided these 2, Dier and Alli remain fit and in form.