Mourinho will be reluctant to play Spurs contract rebel – claims Danny Mills

Former Leeds United defender, Danny Mills, believes that Jose Mourinho will be reluctant to play Jan Vertonghen regularly when the season resumes given that he is likely to leave in the summer.

The 33-year-old’s current deal with Spurs runs out next month but the club are said to be in negotiations with the centre-back to extend his deal until the end of the campaign.

However, reports have indicated that the Belgian intentional is unlikely to be at Tottenham next season with several clubs in Italy and Spain said to be lining up a move for him when he becomes a free agent in the summer (CalcioMercato).

ESPN revealed recently that Vertonghen is demanding a two-year contract on his present £70,000-a-week salary in order to extend his stay in North London. However, it is suggested that Spurs are not keen to offer the long-serving defender such a deal.

Mills believes that the former Ajax man’s unwillingness to commit his future to the club will influence Mourinho’s decision on whether or not to play him for the remainder of the season.

He told Football Insider: “There will definitely be a reluctance (on Mourinho’s part to play Vertonghen), without a shadow of a doubt. It will come down to the individual and whether the manager trusts the player.

“Aaron Ramsey was magnificent for Arsenal and everybody knew he was leaving but he still put a shift in. He did not shirk any challenges or shy away from anything and got injured because of that as well.

“It is very difficult to put every player in that category because they will all have their own agenda. They all have their own reasoning for doing things.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I honestly think too much is being made by the media about Vertonghen’s contract situation. The way I see it, it is understandable that he wants the security of a two-year contract while Spurs’ reluctance to offer him the deal is also understandable given his age and the fact that his performances this season have left a lot to be desired. I believe that he will extend his stay until the end of the season and that Mourinho will certainly need him given that the fixtures will come thick and fast when the league resumes. I expect Vertonghen to leave on good terms with the club when the transfer market opens in the summer.

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