Even if Tottenham fall short in this season’s Premier League title race – they’re now left with eight games to overcome a seven-point deficit – few will dispute it’s been a good season at White Hart Lane.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side still aren’t the finished article but have certainly shown further improvements from last year, particularly producing a high consistency of performance against those outside the Premier League’s top six.
Wins over Manchester City and Chelsea also come to mind, but in addition to collective displays, we’ve seen some fantastic individual performances throughout the campaign as well. With that in mind, we asked Spurs fans earlier this week to vote for their Player of the Season so far. Here’s a look at who made the top THREE.
3. Dele Alli
After a sensational debut campaign at White Hart Lane, many questioned at the start of the season whether Dele Alli would be able to handle the extra attention placed on him by Premier League defenders. He began 2016/17 quietly but has really come into his own since mid-December, now boasting 15 goals and five assists in the top flight.
His hot-headed sending off that essentially eliminated Spurs from the Europa League has lead to a debate over the 20-year-old’s temperament, however, which is perhaps why he missed out on top spot in our poll.
2. Mousa Dembele
A real class act in Tottenham’s midfield who often doesn’t receive the critical acclaim his understated style deserves, Mousa Dembele may not grab headlines for his goals and assists but few Premier League midfielders offer power, composure, passing quality and control of the engine room in quite the same way.
The Belgium international is Tottenham’s metronome in the middle of the park and they always move the ball far better when he’s in the starting line-up.
1. Toby Alderweireld
Toby Alderweireld is continuing to cement a reputation as arguably the best defender in the Premier League and Tottenham fans clearly appreciate the qualities he offers, voting him to first place in our poll.
The Belgium international has struggled for fitness at times this term, missing eight of his side’s Premier League fixtures, but has proved equally formidable in a back four or a back three and remained vital in Spurs conceding the fewest goals of any top flight side. Rather tellingly, Tottenham’s win-rate jumps up by a staggering 19% when he’s in the starting line-up.
Results
