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Tottenham truth: Alderweireld start at Brighton would be meaningless

By Rucker Haringey

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Tottenham Hotspur at John Smith's Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Tottenham Hotspur at John Smith's Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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The Brighton match means nothing for Alderweireld’s future at Tottenham

Some Tottenham fans seem to be excited about the possibility of Toby Alderweireld returning to the starting XI at Brighton today. I suppose it will be good to see him back on the pitch, but it doesn’t mean anything about his long-term future with Spurs.

If Alderweireld does return to Mauricio Pochettino’s starting lineup today, it’s only because the Argentine gaffer wants to rotate his centre backs. Tottenham need to make sure they can trot their top lineup out against Manchester United in Saturday’s FA Cup semifinal. That means Pochettino will heavily rotate the squad against Brighton.

Admittedly, rotating centre backs isn’t usually a high priority for Pochettino. His central defensive pairing typically runs significantly less than any of his outfield players. Even so, the pairing of Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez has a lot of miles on it this season. Giving one, or preferably both, defenders a rest against this weekend’s massive fixture would be very beneficial for Spurs.

That’s the real reason Alderweireld is in the frame for a start. He’s not competing with Sanchez and Vertonghen this week. Instead, he’s competing against Juan Foyth for a place in the starting XI. If he isn’t capable of playing ahead, or alongside, the young Argentine at this point in his career he’s got bigger problems than his contract negotiations with Tottenham.

Speaking of Alderweireld’s contract negotiations, that’s still the biggest obstacle standing between the Belgian star and an extended stay with Spurs. Unless he comes off his massive wage demands, he’s going to be sold this summer. He’s an excellent player when he’s fit and firing, but he is not worth becoming the squad’s highest paid player.

Perhaps that conclusion seems harsh to you, but it would require him being paid significantly more than Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen. Do you really think the difference between Alderweireld and Sanchez is worth upsetting all three of the club’s most valuable players?

Even if you believe that, Daniel Levy absolutely doesn’t. He isn’t going to cede to Alderweireld’s wage demands because it would mean renegotiating deals with at least five or six other Tottenham stars. Levy isn’t going to want to go through the trouble, or expense of needing to rewrite that many deals to placate Alderweireld.

Next: Pochettino will unleash Lucas at Brighton

If you’re a Tottenham fan who loves Toby Alderweireld, enjoy watching him play for Spurs against Brighton today. Don’t think for a second it’s a sign that he’s ready to commit his long-term future to Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham project.

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