John Hartson has stated that he expects Jan Vertonghen to ‘leave’ Tottenham, as he told Stadium Astro.
Vertonghen’s contract at Spurs is due to expire when the season does end and Hartson doesn’t expect him to be offered a new deal.
The former striker made it clear that ‘you don’t win anything if you cannot defend’, as Spurs proved their defensive qualities over the weekend.
Vertonghen didn’t start Tottenham’s North London derby showdown against Arsenal on Sunday, but he did watch from the bench as Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez remained solid at the back.
A lot has been made of how Jose Mourinho’s side have played since his arrival in November, but Hartson stated that the three-time Premier League winner is well aware of what he needs to do.
“I think Vertonghen will leave,” Hartson told Stadium Astro. “I think Alderweireld is still a top-class defender. He’s been able to bring in Sanchez instead of Vertongen [against Arsenal].
“I think Mourinho realises, you win from the back. You win from the back and you keep clean sheets. And then you score goals with your talented forwards and midfield players. With a bit of guile and with a bit of individual brilliance.
“But you don’t win anything if you cannot defend. I’m sorry, all good teams, top successful teams have got top-class defenders. Unless you are Manchester City, who create 40 chances for their strikers.”
Vertonghen has had a tough time of it this season and has started only one Premier League game since football restarted – the goalless draw against Bournemouth.
Sanchez seems to be the player that Mourinho is keen on when it comes to his defensive players, as Alderweireld has been in and out of the side, but did start and score the winner in the North London derby.
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