Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen returns to Amsterdam this week.
Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen has joked that he has been taking it easy, ahead of Belgium’s international clash with Holland.
The match will see Vertonghen go up against club teammate Vincent Janssen, in a much anticipated friendly.
It is not just the opponent that is important for Vertonghen, but the location of the contest.
Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen in action
The game will be held at the Amsterdam Arena, home of Vertonghen’s former club Ajax.
It is the first time since leaving the Dutch club in 2012 for Tottenham that he has had the opportunity to play at the stadium again, and Vertonghen says he has had his eye on the fixture for a while.
Speaking to Belgian outlet Sporza, Vertonghen quipped: “It’s a very special moment. From the moment it was known that we were going to play in the Amsterdam Arena, I decided to play extra careful to be sure not to get injured.”
Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen clashes with Arsenal’s Theo Walcott
Despite his comments, his commitment to the Tottenham cause is without question, as demonstrated with his battling display against Arsenal at the weekend, which saw him embroiled in a row with Gunners attacker Theo Walcott.
Vertonghen knows Belgium head into the clash with Holland as favourites, with the Dutch failing to qualify for Euro 2016, and says their opponents have a new found respect for his side.
He said: “I play with myself Vincent Janssen and Michel Vorm, who is now also included in the selection, and you notice that there is less bluffing from the Dutch side.
“There is a lot of respect and the awareness that we have a very good team and they are a team under construction.”
Belgium’s Jan Vertonghen listens to questions during a news conference
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