Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld says his performances this season show he is happy to stay at the club despite the uncertainty over his future.
Spurs recently triggered a year’s option on the Belgium international’s deal to keep him contracted until 2020, but in doing so also activated a £25million release clause in the summer transfer window.
Having rejected a new long-term deal last year it looks highly likely like Alderweireld will leave the club at the end of the season, unless talks resume between now and then.
Great mature performance last night.Still lots to do in the second leg. Thanks for everyones support 💪🏻 #COYS #Carabaocup pic.twitter.com/wc1Ms4454L — Alderweireld Toby (@AlderweireldTob) January 9, 2019
Even if his future is in doubt, Alderweireld has proved his commitment this season as, after being reintegrated into the side, has been a key player.
Only Harry Kane has featured more for Mauricio Pochettino’s men and the 29-year-old put in another stellar display as Spurs beat Chelsea 1-0 in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday night.
He insisted he is committed to giving his all for Spurs, but would not be drawn on whether a longer-term stay is on the cards.
“I’m very happy to stay another year,” he said. “It was (a clause) in my contract and I’m happy Spurs gave me the confidence to stay another year.
“I’m only focused on things on the pitch. People can see every time I play that I give 100 per cent for this club – this is what I keep doing every time I play.
“This is my fourth season and I’m very happy. I’m doing everything to help the team.”
Spurs starting to back up their impressive rise with silverware might help persuade Alderweireld to stay and they moved a step closer to that with their semi-final first-leg win over Chelsea.
Harry Kane’s VAR-assisted penalty was the difference between the two sides at Wembley, though Maurizio Sarri’s men will feel they deserved to get something from the game.
N’Golo Kante and Callum Hudson-Odoi hit the woodwork and the former is confident his side can turn the tie around in the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
“The penalty put us in difficulty, we tried to react but we couldn’t score a goal, and that’s why the result is like it is,” Kante told the club’s official website.
“We did a good game, we had a lot of the ball. The statistics show we could have had a better result, but it is what it is. We need to accept that.
“I think now we can get a better result at Stamford Bridge.
“We have more chance in front of our fans. We will need them. We have a match to get to the final and we will give our maximum to do it.”
