Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that he has regular training ground bust-ups with Jan Vertonghen, who he has described as “one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League and in Europe.”
Vertonghen has been a mainstay at the back for Spurs since his move from Ajax in 2012, and has been in particularly impressive form for Spurs this season in the absence of Toby Alderweireld through injury.
The 30-year-old Belgium international is the only player to start every single one of Spurs’ Premier League campaign so far, missing just 29 minutes of action all season.
As quoted by The Times, Pochettino recalled watching Vertonghen’s body language during Tim Sherwood’s reign, saying: “He was slouched in the tunnel. I told him when I came ,‘Why are you like that? You are here for a battle. You cannot show this body language — you are a warrior.’
“We worked a lot on this aspect and, yes, it is true that we clash a lot in training because he is clever and always has an argument and a reason why, but in the end I appreciate his efforts.”
Pochettino went on to admit that the club were looking to reward Vertonghen’s service with a new contract in the coming months.
“The club believe that he needs to be rewarded. He is one of the important players in the side. I am so proud that he has achieved this level today. In my opinion he’s one of the best centre backs in the Premier League and in Europe. He has unbelievable quality. He has improved in an aspect that was so important for him, the mental aspect. Now I think he is a complete centre back,” he said.
Vertonghen has made 239 appearances for Spurs in his five-and-a-half years at the club so far, and is closing in on 100 caps for Belgium ahead of the World Cup this summer.
OPINION
If you speak to any Spurs fan about Vertonghen they will be in agreement with Pochettino. The veteran centre-back has been superb for Spurs ever since joining from Ajax, but it is under Pochettino that he has really come into his own, and can safely be placed among the best centre-backs in the country. The way that the club have dealt so well with the injury to Toby Alderweireld is evidence of Vertonghen’s growing stature as a player and leader at Spurs, and fans will hope he stays for several more years.