Toby Alderweireld     22      Defender      Ajax

Doing well.  22 year old Belgian defender Alderweireld (who can play at right back or as a centre back) has become a regular starter for both his club and country over the last twelve months.  Gained an Eredivisie winners medal with Ajax last season and managed to chip in with two goals which complimented a string of solid displays.  More noteworthy though were Alderweireld’s three strikes for the Amsterdam club in the Champions League, including a corker at the San Siro against Inter.

Aldereweireld’s game is developing nicely and the threat that he possesses at set pieces is a real boon for Ajax and it would be no great surprise if he registers double figures in the goals scored column some time soon.  Like many young defenders though, inexperience can kick in and Alderweireld does have a fondness for losing runners.  To be fair, this is a crease that the young Belgian will more than likely iron out as he learns to master his position. 

Not the fastest around, but very useful in the air and pretty solid too.  Positioning is improving and a long career beckons.  A 100 cap player in the making perhaps?

"He is looking very good. Still has the occasional concentration lapse but his passing from the back is getting much better." - @BasicFotball

"Morphing into a clone of club and country team-mate Jan Vertonghen, i.e. can belt them in from 40 yards, uncompromising to the point of brutal but positionally suspect." - John Dobson (Journalist)

C+       Competent defender, scores goals.  Continue sir.