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Spurs’ Four Options After Vertonghen’s Injury, Ranked

By Ryan Wrenn

Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen (5) defends against MLS All Stars midfielder Graham Zusi (19) of Sporting Kansas City in the first half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick
Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen (5) defends against MLS All Stars midfielder Graham Zusi (19) of Sporting Kansas City in the first half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick /
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2. Eric Dier

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20 : Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur during the Emirates FA Cup match between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur at King Power Stadium on January 20, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20 : Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur during the Emirates FA Cup match between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur at King Power Stadium on January 20, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) /

On the surface this seems like the best move. Dier actually spent part of his first season with the club at centre-back, after all, and could easily slot into Vertonghen’s spot should he be called upon. He might not be Vertonghen’s equal, but he at least has Premier League experience with Spurs.

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The problem with that logic is obvious. Pochettino’s re-deployment of Dier in holding midfield has been one of – if not the – most important improvement in Spurs’ defense this term. His shielding of the backline resolved one of the biggest problem areas at Spurs over the last few seasons, he often acts as the base upon which the team’s efforts in attack are built, and his excellent partnership with Mousa Dembélé has only just begun again after Belgian’s brief absence through injury. That’s no easy decision to strip the team of those qualities.

Moving Dier to central defense would also mean that the rest of the starting XI would have to adjust to two changes in defense rather than just one. It’s a safe bet that Pochettino would be unlikely to take that risk if he doesn’t absolutely have to.

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