Despite failing to catch newly-crowned Champions of England Leicester City, it’s obvious that Tottenham Hotspur have had a pretty impressive season.
As the youngest team in the Premier League, Spurs are all but certain to record their highest ever league position with the best goal difference in the division, and the leading goalscorer in Harry Kane.
But it’s not the England frontman who the fans have named as their standout player this season. Nor was it Dele Alli, the PFA Young Player of the Season.
The Tottenham fans have crowned Toby Alderweireld as their star performer in this one-of-a-kind campaign. After signing for the North London club in the summer, the classy Belgian centre-back was reunited with his international and former Ajax teammate Jan Vertonghen, and the well-trodden partnership’s effectiveness did not diminish.
To finish events at Hotspur Way, @AlderweireldTob takes a selfie with all the supporters' clubs. #COYS #TogetherTHFC pic.twitter.com/yM5mPF4DEj
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 7, 2016
Spurs will likely end the season with the league’s best defence, and fans were quick to praise Alderweireld for his contribution.
Toby Alderweireld is only the third Spurs defender in this millennium to win the Player of the season award.
What a debut season!
— Kieran (@Kieran_N17) May 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/TheTacticsRoom/status/728946160132624384
https://twitter.com/Madz_UK/status/728945019042811905
https://twitter.com/superspurs34/status/728940069265022976
What a difference this man has made. You can tell he's even falling in love with Spurs. Congratulations. #Toby pic.twitter.com/PymSIY0LUd
— OneHotspurs (@Onehotspurs) May 7, 2016
The award is even more impressive when you consider who Alderweireld was up against.
Harry Kane has matched his incredible 2014/15 breakout season and notched up 25 league goals, while youngsters Dele Alli and Eric Dier have both been instrumental in Spurs’ title-chasing season.
Danny Rose’s performances have put him in contention for an England call-up; Hugo Lloris has been as consistent as ever in goal, and Mousa Dembele – despite the six-game ban he has now received for scratching Diego Costa’s eye – has become one of Mauricio Pochettino’s most important players.
You could make a case for much of the squad, but it’s nice to see a defender receive the plaudits.
