Mourinho admits Alderweireld could have got a better contract elsewhere

After Tottenham confirmed that Toby Alderweireld had put pen to paper on a new deal that sees him commit his future to the club until the summer of 2023, there were reports that suggested that Jose Mourinho played a key role in convincing the centre half to sign the new deal (Evening Standard).

However, in an interview with Sky Sports, the Spurs boss had admitted that he played no role in the negotiations and that his influence had little to with the 30-year-old’s decision.

The Tottenham head coach said, “When I arrived, we had three top players potentially leaving, now we have two top players potentially leaving. It’s going to be two, one or zero. I can’t tell you.

“I’m very happy that it’s not three, yesterday it was three and this morning it’s only two. I don’t think it’s my influence with Toby, there’s a good feeling between us and maybe that helps a little bit, but from the negotiation point of view, it’s nothing to do with me.”

Mourinho insisted that it was Alderweireld’s desire to remain with the club that was crucial in getting the deal over the line.

While the Portuguese manager admitted that the defender might have been influenced by the trust he has shown in him since he arrived at the club last month, he revealed that the former Ajax defender always expressed an intention to stay at the club.

He added, “I read some quote from him saying there’s no place where he can be happier than this and that’s the biggest reason he’s staying, because he could get a better contract somewhere else.

“It helps that since I’ve arrived he’s played every minute of every game, probably. He probably feels like he’s going to play under me, he’s going to be first choice, and maybe that helps.

“I don’t want to share much, but my situation with Toby was from the beginning a clear desire of everybody to commit and get a new contract.

“When I say everybody, it’s not just sometimes about the club and the player, there’s other parties involved, and it’s important they don’t think in a selfish way but what the player would like. It was very important.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Alderweireld’s signing a new contract so soon after Mourinho’s arrival is clear evidence that his relationship with Mauricio Pochettino had deteriorated completely. The Argentine kept talking about the need for a rebuild and so I couldn’t see the Belgian committing for another three and a half years if he was still in charge of the club.

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