Tottenham’s midfield pair Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele have all the qualities needed for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, according to Toby Alderweireld.
Wanyama and Dembele have started the last five league matches together and established themselves as Pochettino’s preferred pairing at the base of midfield, forcing England international Eric Dier out of his preferred position.
Both played a key role in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Middlesbrough, completing 172 passes and winning nine tackles to set the platform for a result that was notably more convincing than the scoreline.
With Toby Alderweireld, Hugo Lloris and others behind Dembele and Wanyama offer a formidable first line of defence for the Premier League’s most parsimonious side and the Belgian centre-back is delighted to have such a powerful shield in front of the back four.
In Pictures | Tottenham vs Middlesbrough | 04/02/2017
“They are both playing fantastic football and having wonderful seasons,” Alderweireld told the Spurs website. “They are strong, good on the ball, they know tactically where they have to go, when they have to clear or keep it.
“They have all the qualities, not one or two things but the lot, so that makes it difficult for opponents.
“They help us a lot. If teams go through them we are there and if they get through us, Hugo is there! That’s a good thing.”
