Player watch: Toby Alderweireld

[dagraham]

In his peak for us I think he’s the best CB we’ve ever had in the modern era along with King. Jan a close 3rd but Toby was just so so assured and calm, incredible world class player.

I remember he made an error on his debut ( gave away a pen against Stoke I think?).

After that, he was virtually flawless the rest of the season.

He’s been on the decline the last couple of years, but still our best defender.... and the best passer from our back line as well, which we’ll miss too.

 

[T-Bone]

Toby will be missed, outstanding servent. Thanks for everything Toby

 

[allpaths]

As someone from Belgian heritage it was absolute pleasure watching all 4 of the Belgium lads at our club and I'm so proud that none of them let the club down.

Strange how we went away from them.

 

[DenverSpur]

Toby and Jan were one of the best CB pairings we’ve had.At their peak during the Poch era Robbie Mustoe did a piece on them for NBCSport. He showed how they were so unbelievably in sync with each other. They had an almost telepathic understand of where the other was. Watching the clips of them playing together that he showed to demonstrate their synchronized movement was almost freaky. I don’t think I’ve ever seen another CB pairing with such an understanding of each other.

 

[Timberwolf]

Last season we had Dier, Sanchez, and Toby as our 'experienced' CB's and we were shambolic defensively.

Experience is overrated. It's all about ability at the end of the day.

Tbh you're both right.

You have players like Vidic that came from fuck knows where straight to Utd and looked class. Ruben Dias went from the Portugese league to City and was maybe the best CB in the league last year.

But for each of those there are other fantastic players that need time to adapt to the league (or never do). Each case is individual and depends massively on their personality, style of play, willingness to adapt, etc.

 

[spurs_kalle]

Brilliant passer from the back line, great defender.
Still, 13 million is good value and it is time to say good bye.

 

[tony_parkes]

Last season we had Dier, Sanchez, and Toby as our 'experienced' CB's and we were shambolic defensively.

Experience is overrated. It's all about ability at the end of the day.

Teams that win trophies tend to have experienced central defenders.

Terry
Ferdinand
Pallister
Bruce
Adams
Canavaro
Baresi
Ramos
Vidic
Puyol
Scales

most of the above players were leaders and organisers. Many of them captains.

jan and Toby have left and we may be replacing them with amazing players but a defense is better as a unit rather than talented individuals. The arsenal defence of 98 was excellent, as a unit. No real pace anywhere and long in the tooth but they communicated well and read the game.

Language may also be a problem if they need time to learn English. I just worry that a young but talented central defensive partnership could benefit from a more experienced player such as Toby.

I don’t disagree that talent is the most important reason for buying a player but IMO experience at centre back is important. It’s a major reason Italy won the Euro’s.

 

[TennesseeYid]

He was the signing that took the team to a different level. Dele and Son were huge of course, but we went from one of the worst defenses to the best in the league.

 

[ssamme]

Teams that win trophies tend to have experienced central defenders.

Terry
Ferdinand
Pallister
Bruce
Adams
Canavaro
Baresi
Ramos
Vidic
Puyol
Scales

most of the above players were leaders and organisers. Many of them captains.

jan and Toby have left and we may be replacing them with amazing players but a defense is better as a unit rather than talented individuals. The arsenal defence of 98 was excellent, as a unit. No real pace anywhere and long in the tooth but they communicated well and read the game.

Language may also be a problem if they need time to learn English. I just worry that a young but talented central defensive partnership could benefit from a more experienced player such as Toby.

I don’t disagree that talent is the most important reason for buying a player but IMO experience at centre back is important. It’s a major reason Italy won the Euro’s.

John Scales…..

 

[Dave1882]

Whilst I’m not against him leaving and think his peak is behind him. He shouldn’t be going before Sanchez and Dier…unless confident all 3 will be sold/replaced this summer…I know Rodon might step up and Tanganga if can be injury free possibly too

 

[ralphs bald spot]

Teams that win trophies tend to have experienced central defenders.

Terry
Ferdinand
Pallister
Bruce
Adams
Canavaro
Baresi
Ramos
Vidic
Puyol
Scales

most of the above players were leaders and organisers. Many of them captains.

jan and Toby have left and we may be replacing them with amazing players but a defense is better as a unit rather than talented individuals. The arsenal defence of 98 was excellent, as a unit. No real pace anywhere and long in the tooth but they communicated well and read the game.

Language may also be a problem if they need time to learn English. I just worry that a young but talented central defensive partnership could benefit from a more experienced player such as Toby.

I don’t disagree that talent is the most important reason for buying a player but IMO experience at centre back is important. It’s a major reason Italy won the Euro’s.

Two things the defence last season was poor but also let down by the midfield which was equally as poor imo I think improving the midfield both in keeping the ball and being better structured defensively the defence will improve markedly

- experience at centre back is important and half of defending is having a unit that communicates pressing and dropping off at the right times (when did the offside trap disappear from football talking about Arsenal's backline) I do think though that the centre back role has change so much - in the past the centre backs job was to head and kick it away now they probably get more touches of the football than any other players except the full backs - personally I would rather a more direct style of football taking out the risk and the lack of reward of passing the ball aimlessly across the back line whilst inviting pressure but that sadly is modern football.

I think Toby has been a very good player very much a modern centre half good on the ball and very disciplined defensively

 

[spids]

Teams that win trophies tend to have experienced central defenders.

Terry
Ferdinand
Pallister
Bruce
Adams
Canavaro
Baresi
Ramos
Vidic
Puyol
Scales

most of the above players were leaders and organisers. Many of them captains.

jan and Toby have left and we may be replacing them with amazing players but a defense is better as a unit rather than talented individuals. The arsenal defence of 98 was excellent, as a unit. No real pace anywhere and long in the tooth but they communicated well and read the game.

Language may also be a problem if they need time to learn English. I just worry that a young but talented central defensive partnership could benefit from a more experienced player such as Toby.

I don’t disagree that talent is the most important reason for buying a player but IMO experience at centre back is important. It’s a major reason Italy won the Euro’s.

Scales? Seriously? The same John Scales that came to us and did not make us any more resilient at the back?

Also, Dias and Stones say hello.

 

[y1dk1d]

Goodbye Toby

 

[floydiohead]

In his peak for us I think he’s the best CB we’ve ever had in the modern era along with King. Jan a close 3rd but Toby was just so so assured and calm, incredible world class player.

I tend to agree (see my avatar for my favourite player of all time). He used to astound me a lot of the time, and I remember how gutted I was seeing him go down at Wembley with that injury against Real Madrid in the CL.

 

[Aphex]

Our best CB of the last decade and one of our best in modern times. I always thought Jan was quality but it wasn't until Toby arrived that it really kicked us on and Jan grew another level too.

Will go down in history was one of our finest aswell to be fair.

 

[Pochie]

Teams that win trophies tend to have experienced central defenders.

Terry
Ferdinand
Pallister
Bruce
Adams
Canavaro
Baresi
Ramos
Vidic
Puyol
Scales

most of the above players were leaders and organisers. Many of them captains.

jan and Toby have left and we may be replacing them with amazing players but a defense is better as a unit rather than talented individuals. The arsenal defence of 98 was excellent, as a unit. No real pace anywhere and long in the tooth but they communicated well and read the game.

Language may also be a problem if they need time to learn English. I just worry that a young but talented central defensive partnership could benefit from a more experienced player such as Toby.

I don’t disagree that talent is the most important reason for buying a player but IMO experience at centre back is important. It’s a major reason Italy won the Euro’s.

I trust Nuno to perfect whoever Paratici buys as CB. They're a dream partnership in the making.

 

[sharky127]

Just change his name to Son, easy

Nah, need to keep the T as son has my dad's initials who passes away 2 days after his birth! After investigation my options are Tanguy, Tashen and TJ...my missus is not happy lol though TJ (Eyoma) is a great shout as can get rid of sons middle name too then! ?

 

[ButchCassidy]

Nah, need to keep the T as son has my dad's initials who passes away 2 days after his birth! After investigation my options are Tanguy, Tashen and TJ...my missus is not happy lol though TJ (Eyoma) is a great shout as can get rid of sons middle name too then! ?

Just wait a few days and call him Takehiro

 

[kierangill14]

 

[antti19]

All the best Tobias?