Tim Sherwood once called midfielder ‘really exciting’, and now Tottenham want him

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According to Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, Tottenham are keen to sign Jordan Veretout this month.

Veretout has been plying his trade over in Italy with AS Roma for quite some time now, but if you have a good memory, you may remember a short spell he had with Aston Villa a few years ago.

Veretout failed to really impress at Villa – he struggled to make much of an impact as Villa were relegated back in 2016.

However, he did show the odd sign of promise and he impressed former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood with his performances.

Indeed, Veretout was signed by Sherwood at Villa, and the ex-Spurs boss had a lot of praise for the Frenchman upon his arrival.

What’s Sherwood said about Veretout?

Sherwood was very excited about signing Veretout at the time.

“I’m really pleased Jordan decided to choose Aston Villa over the other options he had and opt to continue his development with us,” said Sherwood.

“He has played over 140 games in Ligue 1 and is a really exciting young player. I know he is very highly rated over in France so we are delighted to get this deal over the line,” he added.

Of course, things didn’t quite work out for Veretout in England, but Sherwood did mention that he’d need time to settle in, claiming that once he settles he’d be a star.

“He gives us something different to the other guys,” Sherwood said of Veretout. “He’s played a lot of football for someone so young. We’re really excited about bringing him in. He’s obviously going to take time to settle but he’s going to be in a good place.

“He’s not the finished article by any means, and nor are the rest of the guys, but they’re willing to develop. They’re good learners, good listeners and good people, so they’ve got every chance.”

Developed

Veretout probably doesn’t remember his time in England too fondly, but as Sherwood said at the time, he just needed to find his feet.

Since leaving Villa, the Frenchman has gone from strength to strength, and now he’s a key component in a Roma team that are consistently challenging at the top-end of the Serie A table.

Perhaps he would fare better If he came back to England with Spurs.