Toby Alderweireld has given Tottenham some much-needed stability

Jose Mourinho is going to drastically change Tottenham’s squad over the next year. Re-signing Toby Alderweireld will help settle Spurs during that time.

Locking arguably the most talented defender in club history for another four years is a clear victory for everyone at Tottenham. However, Toby Alderweireld’s decision to stay at the club will also be key to the squad’s mental state. In the midst of what will surely be a period of player upheaval, Alderweireld can remain a rock in the dressing room.

Per The Daily Star, Alderweireld claims he simply cannot see himself playing for another club. That’s a big reason why he was willing to commit his future to the lillywhites. However, it’s also clear that Jose Mourinho’s arrival in North London was a key factor. It’s no coincidence that Alderweireld’s attitude towards negotiations softened as soon as the Portuguese gaffer arrived.

That’s all water under the bridge for Spurs now though. Alderweireld has forged a positive relationship with Mourinho and will now serve as the bedrock of his central defence for years to come. Mourinho is a manager who prides himself on building his teams from the back. Locking Alderweireld down will serve as the gaffer’s foundation for the “new Tottenham.”

Alderweireld joins the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli as a select handful of players who have earned Mourinho’s trust. Quite a few spots in the starting XI are still squarely up for grabs. It will be important for Mourinho to avoid the temptation of making too many changes too quickly. That’s a mistake he made at Manchester United and it cost him dearly at Old Trafford.

More specifically, Mourinho could not afford to make wholesale changes in his back line. It’s very possible that the 2020-21 season will begin with Alderweireld flanked by three new starters in his club’s back four. Danny Rose will almost certainly be offloaded if a suitable new home can be found. Serge Aurier‘s place at right back is tenuous at best. Jan Vertonghen may choose to extend his stay with Tottenham as well, but it’s entirely possible that he’ll leave when his contract expires. Davinson Sanchez and Juan Foyth may figure into Mourinho’s future plans but either player will need to forge a new partnership with Alderweireld moving forward.

In the end, Alderweireld’s new contract is a massive win for Mourinho and Tottenham as a club. They’ve locked down their best defender to help with a big transition in the club’s history. The Belgian veteran will continue to pay big dividends for Spurs on the pitch and in the dressing room for years to come.