Although ‘horrible to see’, the popular pundit claims Jan Vertonghen injury might’ve benefited Tottenham Hotspur.
Paul Merson has told The Daily Star that Jan Vertonghen’s injury may have been a blessing in disguise for Tottenham Hotspur this week.
The Spurs centre-back suffered a serious head injury in Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat by Ajax in the semi-final of the Champions League.
Vertonghen tried to continue but looked visibly unsteady on his feet prior to come off, sparking fears about potential concussion.
Moussa Sissoko replaced the Belgian and Mauricio Pochettino’s side improved in a major way once the Argentine tweaked his system.
The North Londoners were 1-0 down at the time of Sissoko’s entry but the result could and potentially would have been a lot worse had Pochettino not changed things up.
Merson told The Daily Star: “Don’t rule Tottenham out of the Champions League final just yet. I think they are still in with a big shout against Ajax.
“If Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son had played in the first leg of their semi final I think Spurs would have won the game.
“Ajax did not kill them off. They showed a bit of naivety because they were the better team and they had the chances to end the tie but didn’t take them.
“What happened to Jan Vertonghen was horrible to see and I hope he’s okay, but in a way it helped them because they were forced to bring on Moussa Sissoko and go four at the back.”
Merson is probably right. Had Tottenham continued in the same vein with Vertonghen on the field, Ajax would have continued to carve straight through them and Pochettino’s side probably wouldn’t have a chance in next week’s second leg in Amsterdam.
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