Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has told fans to be “calm” over Toby Alderweireld’s contract situation, reports Sky Sports.
What’s the latest?
The defender has become a favourite among the supporters since his 2015 switch from Atletico Madrid.
The 28-year-old has been on the sidelines since the start of November with a hamstring injury that he suffered during Tottenham’s 3-1 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Alderweireld is not expected to return to action until February, but he is regularly in the news due to his future.
The centre-back’s contract does not expire until 2019 and there is also an option for the club to extend the deal by another year.
Despite this, fans are nervous that their star player could leave given that he is yet to put pen to paper on fresh terms.
Pochettino, though, does not feel anxious about the situation.
Sky Sports quotes the manager as saying:
“This is a message for our fans and for everyone: Toby still has two-and-a-half years of contract. [Lionel] Messi was six months left on his contract [at Barcelona, then signed]. Messi! If something happens [on Alderweireld], the club is going to communicate. But I don’t understand all these things when the players are all under contract.”
Should Tottenham fans take his advice?
Pochettino makes complete sense by bringing up Alderweireld’s contract length.
The defender is still tied down to the club, so there is no immediate concern for Spurs, even if a potential suitor makes a bid this summer.
However, in the modern game, it is difficult for fans to feel completely secure until the ink is dry on the contract.
One problem that could be encountered during negotiations is salary. Compared to other Premier League clubs, Tottenham have a fairly modest wage structure.
Alderweireld will have the knowledge that he could potentially earn much more money elsewhere.
If the sticking point comes down to salary, then chairman Daniel Levy may need to tweak his current system.
