Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier has told The Guardian that he is still in touch with Jan Vertonghen – and raved about his ability.
Vertonghen joined Spurs from Ajax way back in 2012, and ended up playing more than 300 games for Tottenham in a superb career in North London.
The Belgian was a fan favourite at Spurs, and he formed a superb partnership with former Ajax and international teammate Toby Alderweireld.
The pair were outstanding under Mauricio Pochettino, forming one of the best centre back partnerships in recent Premier League history.
Father time has affected both players though, and with Vertonghen slowing down at the age of 33, Spurs decided it was time to part ways.
Vertonghen left the club on a free transfer as his contract expired over the summer, and he moved to Portugal in order to join Benfica.
Today, Vertonghen and Alderweireld go up against former teammate Dier as Belgium face England, and current Spurs defender Dier has given his view on Vertonghen.
Dier has admitted that he still speaks to Vertonghen despite his exit, and praised him for his years of service alongside Alderweireld, suggesting they both loved playing under Mauricio Pochettino and taught him so much about being a centre back.
“I learned a huge amount from those two, and I am still regularly in touch with Jan,” said Dier. “For two or three seasons I thought they were the best centre-back partnership in the Premier League.”
“Like me, they enjoyed playing under Mauricio Pochettino and absorbed some of his ideas about how centre backs should operate. They are both intelligent players who read the game really well and as a result never appear to look flustered, and that’s a great quality in a centre back,” he added.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
