The Tottenham centre-back wasn’t happy with Leicester’s tactics after a 1-0 defeat to the Midlands side.
Jan Vertonghen has hit out at Leicester City’s tactics, suggesting they only play one way – kicking the ball long and chasing it, according to the London Evening Standard.
Tottenham Hotspur were beating 1-0 by the Foxes at White Hart Lane on Wednesday night and Vertonghen wasn’t left amused.
And the Belgian admits Tottenham need to improve on how they deal with teams who drop deep against them.
The 28-year-old is quoted as telling reporters: “They always approach the game in the same way – kick every ball they get long and run and if they don’t have the ball they defend.
“They drop deep and then they count on set-pieces or one of their strikers. They have won most of their games like this and they play their game very well. It works for them. Every player knows his qualities and that is a very important thing.
“How do we approach games against teams who drop deep against us? We can improve.”
Now, anyone reading those comments might immediately think Vertonghen is simply being a sore loser.
If a team beats you at home through long balls, intricate passing or Lionel Messi jinking past your whole defence, what does it matter? A defeat is a defeat.
But perhaps Tottenham fans might agree with the Belgian and accuse Leicester of negative tactics?
Whatever the case, Vertonghen may have taken things a step too far, here. His frustration is clear but, of all his comments, only the last line has any meaning. If Spurs don’t like what they claim to be long-ball football so much, they must learn to deal with it.
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