In the latest ‘The View from the Lane’ podcast for The Athletic, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Charlie Eccleshare, and James Maw had an in-depth discussion on Jan Vertonghen and his current contract situation with the North London club.
The 33-year-old’s contract with the Lilywhites is set to expire at the end of the month and it remains unclear whether he will remain with the North London side until the conclusion of the Premier League season. When asked for clarification on the Belgium international’s current situation and where he might end up next, Eccleshare replied:
“In a couple of weeks, there’s a deadline, and they can extend it until the end of the rearranged season and then leave then – and that’s the expectation that that’s what Vertonghen is going to do. But he could just leave at the end of June – he’d be free to join another club.” (24:24 – 24:45)
He also clarifies whether Spurs fans can expect to see much of the former Ajax man in the remaining fixtures, saying:
“The understanding is he will get minutes because yes, he might not be first choice, but there are going to be so many games. So [Jose] Mourinho is going to have to rotate and he’s perfectly willing to play Vertonghen.”
Does Vertonghen deserve a testimonial when it is safe to do so?Yes
No
|
Finally, he sums up what he expects the centre-back’s decision to be, and where he expects him to end up after the current season finishes, saying: “We expect that he will stay until the end of the season,” before suggesting that “the likelihood is he’s going to move to Italy or Spain.”
TIF Thoughts…
Spurs signed Vertonghen from Ajax in 2012 and in nearly eight years with the Lilywhites, he has gone on to make 311 appearances for the North London club, contributing 14 goals and seven assists (per Transfermarkt). Of those appearances, 19 have come this season in the Premier League, suggesting that he is still seen as an important squad player by Jose Mourinho, and this backs up Eccleshare’s point that he will most likely feature in some capacity throughout the remaining fixtures.
Unfortunately, with the Premier League finishing behind closed doors, it seems as if the Belgian defender won’t be getting the farewell from fans that his performances over the past eight years have certainly warranted.