‘We still remember’: Sanchez hails player Tottenham let go this summer

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Tottenham Hotspur defender Davinson Sanchez has told Football London that Jan Vertonghen is still remembered by his old teammates at the club.

Vertonghen was let go by Tottenham this summer, after his contract was not extended.

Vertonghen spent eight years at Spurs, where he became a hugely popular figure with both his teammates and the club’s supporters.

And Sanchez paid tribute to the centre-back during his press conference yesterday.

“Since I arrived I was looking at who plays normally in the starting XI,” Sanchez said.

“Everyone remembered that Toby and Jan partnership, who for me brought a lot from when I arrived because they played at the club I played at. Even Eric when he played was willing to give me a hand. Now it’s a nice competition. We’re all here to help the team, no doubt.

“We still remember Jan because he was an important leader for us. We improved a lot with him by our side. Now it’s for us to put the club in the direction he wants.”

Vertonghen ultimately moved to Benfica, and his performances during his final season at Spurs did suggest that he was reaching the end of his career.

However, his absence has been felt – as Tottenham have looked very insecure at the back this term.

Spurs’ excellent attacking work has often been undone by some lax defending, and Jose Mourinho will surely be hoping to tighten his side’s back-line up sooner rather than later.

Spurs took a while to find a replacement for Vertonghen, but eventually did on domestic transfer deadline day, when they brought in Joe Rodon from Swansea City.