WHL Player of the Season – Victor Wanyama

2016-17 turned out to be another exhilarating, nerve-wracking but ultimately successful season for Tottenham Hotspur.

While silverware eluded the club again, the attacking football on display at White Hart Lane this term has been nothing short of masterful, while a second-placed Premier League finish secures more Champions League action in 2017-18.

Looking at awarding a Player of the Year is a difficult feat.

Harry Kane topped the Premier League scoring charts for the second consecutive campaign, Dele Alli thrilled with his attacking prowess, Toby Alderweireld was a rock and Christian Eriksen’s technique is too good to be true.

However, my Player of the Year goes to a slightly unsung hero in the Spurs ranks – Victor Wanyama.

I, like many Tottenham fans, was not convinced when the Kenyan was signed last summer, with the central midfield pairing of Mousa Dembele and Eric Dier thoroughly doing the job the season before.

However, Wanyama’s will-to-win, endless work-rate, positive attitude and lung busting runs were evident early in the season and the African battler is now indispensable in the Spurs side.

Mauricio Pochettino loves the former Southampton man for his tenacity and discipline, while as the campaign rolled on the 25-year-old improved on the front foot also.

Without Wanyama’s presence in the heart of the Tottenham team, the likes of Eriksen, Alli and Son Heung-min would not have the licence to do what they do in the final third.

The African is more mobile than Dier, as committed as any player at White Hart Lane and one of the best in his position in the Premier League.

An excellent first season for Wanyama in a Spurs shirt – more of the same next term please Victor.