Toby Alderweireld left out of Tottenham’s squad to face Stoke City

It’s becoming harder and harder to hand-wave away Toby Alderweireld’s absence from Tottenham Hotspur’s match day squads. When Toby was left out of the squad before the Chelsea match, it was more than possible to rationalize Mauricio Pochettino’s decision by saying that he’s not exactly 100% fit, and it’d be foolish to make his first game back one against the defending champions of England at Stamford Bridge.

Today, we have this from Belgian Premier League journalist Kristof Terreur:

Welp.

I mean if you can’t give minutes or even a place on the bench to a player coming back from injury against a relegation-threatened Stoke City team that your side has beaten 4-0, 4-0, 4-0, and 5-1 in the last four meetings, and when you have an eight point advantage over fifth place, when exactly are you going to give that player minutes?

I think this pretty much clinches it for me: Toby Alderweireld will be sold this summer. This is been like watching a slow-motion divorce, but I hope that both parties rip off the band-aid as soon as possible when the transfer window opens this summer. I think everyone deserves a swift conclusion that is as amicable as possible.

Excuse me while I go cry over in the corner.