I’m not going to sit on the fence with this one. I firmly believe Toby Alderweireld should start against United on Saturday. The Belgian may not be the club’s long term future, but I still believe he would deliver a good display if picked by Pochettino.
The Evening Standard‘s Jonathan Hunn says there is very little chance of that happening though. The Spurs manager is obsessed with the team collective, and he has decided that as our no.4 is unlikely to stay beyond the summer, he is no longer a first team regular.
Much like with Kyle Walker last season, it seems Poch will stand on principle, and he will re-instate Davinson Sanchez for the encounter at Wembley.
The Colombian has had a good first season, there is no doubt about that, but he still lacks the experience in big matches. Against City, he was caught out of position too many times for my liking, and although he may not be exposed against a more defensive United side, I am definitely more confident in Toby putting in a solid display.
It would be harsh to drop Davinson I know, and perhaps this is me being a bit too cautious before what is arguably our biggest match of the season, but my trust in the Belgian international’s ability is simply greater.
He may be leaving at the end of the season, but there was no sign he was downing tools against Brighton on Tuesday. The lack of fitness and sharpness that has been much talked about just wasn’t in evidence at all, and I would have no worries putting him in from the start versus United.
No matter how much I would like to happen though, I am pretty sure he will be named on the bench for the game, unless Poch makes a surprise switch in formation. I certainly will back any decision our manager makes here so if he thinks it is better for the team than so be it. But I do believe we have a better chance of winning with Alderweireld in the starting eleven.