The Belgian has been at Tottenham Hotspur since 2012, and had reportedly been set to extend his contract before the incident.
Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen in action
Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen has agreed a new contract in principle with the North Londoners, but is yet to put pen to paper following a disagreement with manager Mauricio Pochettino after the Champions League loss to Monaco last month, says ESPN.
The Belgian was uncharacteristically poor against the Ligue 1 outfit, hesitant to challenge Bernando Silva for the first goal and then slow to react to the ball before Thomas Lemar smashed home the second.
Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld look dejected after the game
It was the 29-year-old’s poorest match of the season, and it is no surprise that the Spurs boss would have torn into his players as they disappointed in what was a big game for the club at Wembley.
The report says he had a ‘frank exchange of views’ with manager Pochettino, who had accused the team of lacking passion in the defeat, and was heated enough to cause the defender to hesitate his agreement of a new deal.
However, despite the presence of Kevin Wimmer in the squad – with the Austrian proving last season that he is a quality deputy on the left side of central defence – Vertonghen has continued to be selected by Pochettino, and he was particularly outstanding as Tottenham beat Manchester City in the last round of Premier League fixtures.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
As one of the older and more experienced players at White Hart Lane, Vertonghen may have felt obliged to stand up for the team if he thought they were criticised a little too harshly by Pochettino, but what is encouraging news for supporters is the way Spurs have responded to that surprise defeat – they have won all five matches since, including tough clashes against CSKA Moscow and City.
It is clear that the team morale hasn’t been hurt too much whatever may have been said, and ESPN say their sources have made it clear Vertonghen is happy at Spurs and will agree to extend his stay soon.
Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen and Harry Winks after the match
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