Tottenham Hotspur are ready to trigger Jan Vertonghen’s contract option for next season. The Belgium centre-back is out of contract in the summer of 2019, but Tottenham is ready to tie him down for at least one more Premier League term.
The 31-year-old stopper is reportedly “open” to staying at the club after 2019 and continuing his career at Tottenham.
Since arriving at the club in 2013 from Ajax, Vertonghen has become a vital cog in Tottenham’s defence. Vertonghen has played 264 games for Spurs scoring 11 goals and contributing five assists.
Jan Vertonghen’s importance to Spurs
Vertonghen has been ever-present in Tottenham’s team over the last five-plus seasons. He isn’t the only Tottenham player out of contract in the summer. Fellow centre-back Toby Alderweireld is also out of contract, but Tottenham are set to trigger his option as well.
Tottenham, who have chosen not to buy heavily in the last two offseason transfer windows, are in need of retaining both players. Although Spurs haven’t made new additions or had their own stadium to call home for the last season and a half, keeping two of the team’s cornerstone players is vital.
Tottenham’s transfer plan has actually worked out. Yes, the players have shown fatigue during the season and the depth is lacking, but the squad really seems to be playing for each other.
Unlike Manchester City or Manchester United who have both brought in big transfers in the last two seasons, manager Mauricio Pochettino has built a team who work together and its togetherness shows.
Pochettino’s faith in Vertonghen
Pochettino and Vertonghen didn’t work well when the manager joined Tottenham. But it didn’t take long for the manager to come to terms with Vertonghen. Since the two worked out their differences, the centre-back has excelled.
Spurs have finished in the Premier League’s top six in each season since Vertonghen joined the club. His first two seasons saw Tottenham finish sixth and fifth, respectively. In the club’s last three seasons, however, Spurs have finished in the top three of Premier League. Vertonghen’s great play in Spurs’ defence has helped lead the side to its best finishes in the top-flight.
Despite being 31, Vertonghen still has a lot of upside for Spurs. While teams like Chelsea and Arsenal have policies over not committing to long-term contracts with players over 30, Spurs should tie down their valuable defenders as best they can.