It says much about the economic realities of modern football that for more than half of Toby Alderweireld’s first Tottenham contract he and the club were negotiating his next one. Such is the way of things when a club is looking to protect an asset and a player is keen to secure one last big payday as he heads towards his thirties.



But finally on Friday morning, more than two-and-a-half years after Alderweireld and Tottenham debated the inclusion of a release clause in his contract, a new deal was announced. Tottenham had already triggered an extension clause last year to keep Alderweireld, 30, at the club until 2020, but this new deal is a commitment for him to stay in north London until 2023. It’s quite a turnaround given that Spurs, under Mauricio Pochettino, were willing to let Alderweireld leave — and until Jose Mourinho took over expected that he would. And even if they had wanted him to stay, it’s worth remembering Spurs would have been powerless...