Spurs fans on Twitter have been reacting to the reported news on Jan Vertonghen which suggests that Jose Mourinho has opted to end talks with the Belgian over extending his contract.
According to Neil Fissler in the Express (via Daily Hotspur), the Portuguese manager has called off talks of a contract extension with the former Ajax man, suggesting that he will leave the club when his current deal expires later this month. With the Premier League set to return on 17 June, it has been suggested that some out of contract players would remain with their current clubs until the end of the season, but it seems as if that won’t be the case with Spurs and Vertonghen.
Spurs signed the centre-back from Ajax in 2012 and he has gone on to make 311 appearances for the Lilywhites in nearly eight years at the club; contributing 14 goals and seven assists in the process (per Transfermarkt). Despite making 26 appearances in all competitions this season and averaging a solid 6.85 rating for his performances in the Premier League (per Whoscored), it seems as if Mourinho feels that now is the right time for the Belgian international to move on.
Does Vertonghen deserve a send off from Spurs fans?
Yes
No
Reaction from Spurs fans to the latest report on Vertonghen can be seen in the tweets below.
It’s probably the right call… But it makes me exceptionally sad. His presence in the dressing room seems immense and would have liked him to stay for the experience but I’m torn about it. He would be our 4th or 5th choice CB probably…
— Jace (@JaceTucker1) June 1, 2020
It’s the right call unfortunately
— Spurs Sam (@SpursSam2) June 1, 2020
It seems as if a lot of Spurs fans feel it is the right decision, but will still be sad to see the 33-year-old leave.
Time we moved on from Jan, time he move on and get last decent contract. We wish SuperJan all the best. #COYS #THFC
— No Mour dreaming (@BenHotspur) June 1, 2020
It the right decision will go down as a Tottenham great in my eyes COYS
— Peter Lindsay-White (@PeteFaye555) June 1, 2020
Spurs fans continued to suggest that they will be disappointed to see the former Ajax man leave, even if he is no longer at his best.
Devastating but the right call unfortunately
— Aamir (@YKAamz) June 1, 2020
Right call. Thank you, Jan, a million times for your great service. Come back as a youth coach someday
— ManLikeJimmy (@ortner_jan) June 1, 2020
Other Spurs fans were a bit more cynical in their responses, however.
We’re not a charity,he’s finished
— Settings and Privacy (@________78____) June 1, 2020
no room for sentimentality, thank you for 7 years of service maybe have a testimonial, now goodbye, him and Rose gone, 2 largest bits of deadwood out of the door, not good enough anymore. Close the door on the way out
— Varun 1906 (@varun_1906) June 1, 2020
Overall, it seems as if the majority of Spurs fans agree with Mourinho’s reported decision on Vertonghen.