Toby Alderweireld has been a revelation for Tottenham and it showed last season. He was one of the best defenders in the league as it was evident from our defensive record.

We ended up conceding just 26 goals all season – the least in the league. We were the best defensive unit in England and have been for the past 2 seasons now. It has been a remarkable improvement after the 2014/15 season where we conceded 53 goals. Alderweireld joined us in the summer of 2015. Coincidence? I don’t think so.

The Belgian has become an important part of Tottenham’s core team and it is essential for us to hold on to him. And now, the 28-year-old has revealed that he is still waiting to initiate contract talks with the club and insists that the speculation regarding his future are all mere rumours.

He told Sky Sports News HQ: “There is no talk now, so it’s all rumours, because if there’s no talk there’s no rejection as well. We will see in the future how it will go.”

Alderweireld’s contract currently contains a clause that says if Spurs trigger a year-long extension in 2019 he can leave for a fee of £25m, and the club want to eradicate this clause from any new deal.

He made 39 appearances last season, scoring 2 goals as we achieved our highest finish in the Premier League era. Now that the Belgian has put an end to all the speculations regarding his future, we can all be peaceful. But on the other hand, the club has to offer a new contract to Toby as soon as possible before his head gets turned.

Alderweireld is easily one of the best in the league and it will not be too long before the other big clubs in Europe start targeting Toby. We cannot afford to lose him and it is high time he is offered a new contract soon. The 28-year-old, along with his compatriot, Jan Vertonghen has formed a lethal defensive partnership and if we are to challenge for titles in the future, both of them have to stay at Tottenham.