Tottenham Hotspur may have won their opening Premier League match by three goals to one against Aston Villa, but eyebrows were left raised by one player who didn’t even make the squad.
Jan Vertonghen could be seen in the crowd alongside the injured duo of Dele Alli and Ryan Sessegnon, but for some reason, he did not make the 18-man squad.
As a player who featured heavily in pre-season, is a vice-captain at the club, and one of the most experienced and talented players in the squad, this seems strange.
Eric Dier, who has only just returned from injury. Wanyama, the same. Georges-Kevin Nkoudou who has barely featured for years. All of these players got the nod ahead of Jan.
Pochettino has claimed that the decision was tactical and that there is no issue with Jan Vertonghen off the pitch (BBC), but something doesn’t smell right to me.
It appears I am not the only one too:
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In my mind, Vertonghen still has two or three years left at the top of the game with Spurs. Tottenham should offer him a new contract with increased wages for two years, with an option to extend for a further year. He has been a great servant and is still one of the very best and most consistent in the Prem. For those worried about his age, take a look back at him against Dortmund at wing-back last season and tell me he is too old.
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