Supporters of Tottenham Hotspur have recently flocked to some quotes which were made by Spurs’ Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld.
During a recent interview with Belgian outlet HLN, as cited by the Daily Mail, the defender explained what it is like to work under Jose Mourinho.
The 31-year-old centre-back explained: “If you work for him and go through the fire, then he is really on your side.”
However, Alderweireld also claimed that the Portuguese manager will not stand for anyone who does not try their hardest, he said: “If you’re going to be annoying because you’re not playing, he’ll push you aside.”
These quotes were shared to Spurs fans on social media by The Spurs Express and they had lots of fans talking.
So, what did these Spurs fans have to say about Toby Alderweireld’s comments?
Toby on Jose:
“Everyone has a certain idea about him [Jose] and that he can be really tough. But if you work for him and run through fire, then he is really on your side. But if you are going to be annoying because you are not playing, he will push you aside."#COYS #THFC pic.twitter.com/rE5fygVzW9
— The Spurs Express (@TheSpursExpress) November 19, 2020
Can’t help but feel this is aimed very much towards Dele
— ?®? (@L_thfc_R) November 19, 2020
A swipe at Dele?
— Bruno Cook (@bruski1958) November 20, 2020
Massive target towards Rose especially and also Dele to a certain degree
— Slimdombele Szn (@tangangaweireld) November 19, 2020
Many Spurs fans aired their belief that the comments were regarding Dele Alli, who has recently been left out of Spurs’ matchday squad on several occasions (per The Athletic).
Do you think Toby Alderweireld was alluding to Dele Alli?
No, I don't think he was
Yes, I think he was
That’s a Dele reference then…..
— James (@jamesbradley59) November 19, 2020
Danny Rose and Dele Ali ?
— Ryan Boyce (@RBoyce1985) November 19, 2020
So far this season, the Belgian has made five appearances in the Premier League for Mourinho’s side in which he has neither scored nor assisted a goal (per WhoScored).
During those outings, the defender has earned a solid 6.82/10 average rating, making him their seventh-best performer in the league.
While some Spurs fans discussed whether or not the defender was talking about Alli, others heaped praise on him and Tottenham’s Portuguese manager.
Love the team mentality he builds, get with the team or get out
— SpursJimmy (@SpursJimmy1) November 19, 2020
MY MANAGER
— HojbjergSZN (@KaneSonBaleSZN) November 19, 2020
My centre back? https://t.co/8Loo7usXq4
— Aakash THFC (@LlorisFC) November 19, 2020
As can be seen in these responses from Spurs fans, there was a mixed bag of reactions following the comments made by Alderweireld.