This club has made great progress in 4 years and that means more than one cup win
ALDERWEIRELD SLAMS DOUBTERS
TOBY ALDERWEIRELD has hit back at the snipers constantly mocking Tottenham’s failure to win trophies.
Spurs’ last piece of silverware came way back in 2008 – with a League Cup final triumph over Chelsea.
But, despite that drought continuing throughout the four-and-a half-year reign of Mauricio Pochettino, Alderweireld insists one domestic cup success could not trump the huge progress made under the sacked Argentinian.
So how much does it annoy the squad to hear pundits and punters alike branding them trophy-less chokers? A lot, judging by Alderweireld’s comments ahead of today’s FA Cup third-round trip to fast-improving Championship outfit Middlesbrough.
The Belgium defender, who signed a new four-year deal before Christmas, said: “Yes, it is annoying because, for me, it’s a shortterm vision.
“Imagine the last four seasons – four times in the top four, improving in the Champions League every time and reaching the final last season… or one FA Cup. What do you want?
“It’s always a discussion. The FA Cup or the top four? But you have to be realistic about what you’ve achieved.
“It would be stupid to think the last four seasons were worth nothing because we didn’t win anything. The club have taken lots of big steps – and that’s taken a lot of effort in difficult times – like playing at Wembley and going away from White Hart Lane.
“We can see what we’ve done as some sort of trophy – but, of course, we all want to win one.”
Having pledged his future to the club, Alderweireld, 30, clearly senses his first winner’s medal on English shores is within reach.
With only six months on his old deal, most expected the ex-Ajax and Atletico Madrid ace to leave on a free this summer.
However, a chat with his wife Shani, who is expecting their second child, a decent salary offer and the sudden arrival of Jose Mourinho as manager convinced him to ignore a lucrative move.
Alderweireld revealed: “There were a lot of factors. But the more I thought about a new episode somewhere else, the more I thought, ‘No, I want to stay’.
“You see where the club was when I came and where it is now. It’s a big difference.
“Financially, as well, the club made a good effort that gave me respect. Maybe I could earn a lot more elsewhere, but I chose loyalty – that’s worth something.
“Then, of course, the last step was the manager, who really believed in me.
“We had a good connection from day one. He’s a winner.”