Jan Vertonghen has seen limited game time under Jose Mourinho this season (Getty Images)
Jan Vertonghen has seen the worst and the best of Tottenham Hotspur in recent years. He has immensely helped the club through thick and thin. Despite this, his contribution is often not adequately recognized since Toby Alderweireld’s arrival at the backline for Spurs serendipitously solved numerous defensive problems.
That is obviously not to say that Tottenham’s defence was self-sufficient before Alderweireld’s arrival but Vertonghen’s loyalty and improvement have often not received the deserved recognition. The Belgian has been an invaluable asset to the club. But the club recently triggered the clause to extend his contract further to 2020 (h/t BBC) and that is indeed a great move by Spurs.
The Belgian certainly seems happy at the club and has improved leaps and bounds since he joined them back in 2012. He is 31 now and has a good injury record and has played the majority of the games each season at Tottenham. Vertonghen has been an excellent servant to the club for six years and counting.
Along with his Belgian compatriot Alderweireld, he has given Tottenham a lot of stability at the back – which is something the club failed to find despite previously trying various combinations. He is also a good header of the ball at both ends of the pitch and can certainly be a part of Spurs’ first team for the next two-three years.
He relies more on positioning than pace and thus, will probably be able to maintain the current level of performances even if he loses speed with his age. His versatility to play as the left-back offers a good versatility as well.
Furthermore, the defender will certainly be a good influence on less experienced players like Davinson Sanchez and Juan Foyth, who still have a lot to learn. With him in the backline, Tottenham can rest assured of having a rather calming presence who can marshal the defence.
There seems to be a tangible fragility in Tottenham’s defence whenever the 31-year-old doesn’t play. His presence and positivity in the dressing also play a significant role in keeping the group tightly knit together. The contract extension certainly bodes well for both the player and the club.
It is, therefore, a no-brainer to keep one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League and extend his contract for a further year. Tottenham might even look for a longer deal to retain for a further two to three years but it remains to be seen if the 31-year-old is keen to sign a longer deal.
