Alderweireld: World Cup form proved Spurs omissions were 'unjustified'

Toby Alderweireld believes there's no real reason he was left out of the Tottenham Hotspur lineup last season, so he used the World Cup to prove he's still the same player.

Rumours suggested that Alderweireld's relationship with manager Mauricio Pochettino soured because the defender apparently stalled on extending his terms at Spurs beyond 2019. However, the Argentinian boss insisted Alderweireld fell behind Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez in the pecking order due to form, rather than a contract standoff or the Belgian's lingering hamstring issues.

But Alderweireld fails to see any logic - including Pochettino's assessment of his performances - behind his minutes being cut in north London.

"I was very focused on this tournament," Alderweireld told Sky Sports' Rory O'Callaghan, referring to Belgium's best-ever third-place finish at the World Cup.

"I wanted to prove something to me, show that the period before the tournament in which I, for whatever reason, did not play, it was unjustified.

"I wanted to show that I'm still Toby, same as in November."

The 29-year-old only started three league matches for Spurs after the turn of the year, apparently heightening interest from a host of clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain. In Russia, Alderweireld dispelled doubts over his fitness by playing every minute for Belgium, with the exception of a forgettable encounter with England to conclude Group G.

"I really know nothing," he said of his club future. "In my head, I'm just going back to Tottenham. We'll see."