Paul Robinson believes that Jan Vertonghen has an important role to play should the Premier League resume next month despite the defender being expected to leave the club in the summer.
The long-serving defender’s current contract with Spurs is currently set to expire at the end of next month.
However, the Premier League ruled last Monday that the players who will become free agents at the end of June will be allowed to extend their deals until the end of the season (Football.London).
On the back of this development, Spurs are said to be working on extending the Belgian’s stay until the end of the campaign (Football Insider).
However, it looks unlikely that the 33-year-old will be at the club next season with reports suggesting he is on his way out of North London in the summer, with a move to Spain or Italy on the cards for him (Calcio Mercato).
Robinson believes that regardless of what happens to Vertonghen’s future, Jose Mourinho would still need him for the final nine games of the campaign.
Reacting to news of Vertonghen being on the verge of extending his stay until the end of the season, Robinson told Football Insider: “I think it will be important to keep as many players fit as you can.
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“I do not think you can look at it further than the end of this season.
“There are players coming back from injury and you do not know the impact of three games a week upon your squad. Managers will want as many players available to them as possible.
“Look at Harry Kane, he has had an unprecedented amount of time off since his injury. I doubt he can play three games a week.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Given that everybody is now fit, I can’t see Vertonghen getting into the team too often. However, the games will come thick and fast and so there will need to be an element of rotation if we are to ensure we don’t suffer any injuries. So the Belgian will certainly play a few games.
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