Mentor to Tottenham star Vertonghen explains how Levy called him before transfer move

Follow us on Google Discover

Tottenham signed Jan Vertonghen six years ago.

Tottenham’s move for Jan Vertonghen in 2012 looked like a bargain at the time and it has proved to be just that.

The Belgian centre-back is a regular for the North London side and is starring at the World Cup for his country.

Vertonghen’s former coach Mark Wotte helped train the defender at RKC Waalwijk, where he had a loan spell from Ajax six years earlier.

Wotte has been speaking to Voetball Zone about Vertonghen’s success, and he explained how Spurs chairman Daniel Levy even sought him out for advice before sanctioning the transfer.

He said: “He asked me what I thought of Jan. I said that he could become an absolute top defender.

“He is now a very experienced player who is no longer frightened by an opponent. I am very happy for him.”

Wotte added that during his time at Waalwijk he felt Vertonghen needed to become more comfortable in possession, but saw that the raw defensive skills were there, and feels he has addressed his early shortcomings.

Vertonghen’s Belgium face Japan in the World Cup last 16 this week, and would face either Brazil or Mexico in the quarter-finals.