Belgium boss Roberto Martinez issues World Cup warning to Toby Alderweireld

Martinez issues warning to Alderweireld
© SilverHub
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez warns Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld that his place at the World Cup could be under threat.

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has warned Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld that he is in danger of losing his World Cup place.

The 29-year-old has struggled for game time at the North London outfit since November due to injury and fitness issues.

After returning to action in February following a three-month layoff, Alderweireld has played just twice for Spurs - both outings were in the FA Cup.

On Tuesday night, the centre-back played the full 90 minutes of Belgium's 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in an international friendly, but Martinez feels that he still has a way to go ahead of this summer's World Cup in Russia.

"Every player needs to get a really good period of football now," The Guardian quotes Martinez as saying. "Seven weeks is not a lot of time. Certain players that play a lot of minutes, the playing time now is not essential. But other players who have not played that much, and Toby can be one of those - it is important.

"But what you see with Toby is that urgency and the defensive, natural habit of intercepting any threat around him. I saw him really sharp during the camp and [against Saudi Arabia] it was great to see that he was really strong in the last 15 minutes physically, and he lasted 90 minutes in a really good way."

Alderweireld's future at Tottenham remains unclear as he is yet to sign a new contract at the club.

Share this article now:
Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen catches Mario Gotze in the face during their Champions League Group H clash with Borussia Dortmund on September 13, 2017
Read Next:
Vertonghen: 'Belgium aiming for semis'
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Championship
La Liga
League One
League Two
National League
Primeira Liga
2.Bundesliga
Serie B
Ligue 2
AFC Champions League
Belgian Pro League
Greek Superleague
Eerste Divisie
Norwegian Eliteserien
Swedish Allsvenskan
Turkish Super Lig

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City31273188216784
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd31215560233768
3Liverpool32199475354066
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs31197562263664
5Chelsea31175953302356
6Arsenal311561058411751
7Burnley31121092927246
8Leicester CityLeicester311110104743443
9Everton32117143853-1540
10Bournemouth32910133951-1237
11Watford32107154157-1637
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3198143140-935
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton31810132842-1434
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham3189143957-1833
15Swansea CitySwansea3187162544-1931
16Huddersfield TownHuddersfield3287172553-2831
17Crystal Palace3279163150-1930
18Southampton31513132947-1828
19Stoke CityStoke3269172961-3227
20West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom32311182551-2620

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in with Facebook to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
LIVE SCORES VIDEPRINTER
expand