Jose Mourinho has important selection decision to make for Tottenham

Jose Mourinho started Jan Vertonghen on the left side of defence against Bournemouth, but who will end up securing that role permanently for Tottenham? 

There is a lot merit in having Jan patrol the left side. He is defensively sound, responsible and has a superb left peg. Also, he’s played with Toby Alderwerield and Davinson Sánchez extensively in previous seasons. To add to the positives, Jan is a bona fide centre back, which, when employed at left back, will have an overall reinforcing effect on the entire rearguard. And finally, Jan is a born leader, boisterous and accountable. He’ll hold his colleagues to account while leading by example.

There are, however, a few pitfalls to having Jan at left back. First, he’s not a left back, no matter how much we want him to be. At 32 years old, he’s unable to tirelessly flood up and down the wing for 90 minutes. He’s not the quickest horse in the stable either, and wouldn’t physically be able to continuously support Spurs’ attack.

That’s a problem in the modern game, where full backs are expected to slalom and provide as much support in attack as on the defensive side. Additionally, playing Jan at left back would take him away from patrolling the heart of defence, unequivocally his best position. He has enjoyed success at left back, taking Man of the Match honours in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund last season. Though he doesn’t have the endurance or will to sustain that kind of level on the wing.

So maybe Mourinho will rotate Jan, Danny Rose and, eventually, Ryan Sessegnon. It’s obvious that Rose isn’t impressing the gaffer since his arrival.

It’s almost as clear he doesn’t believe Sessegnon is ready to contribute regularly at the top level. Ben Davies is out for the foreseeable future with ligament damage, further limiting the gaffer’s options.

Until Mourinho finds his preferred left back, expect more rotation, tinkering and experimentation. Maybe Mourinho, even though he said he won’t be dipping into the transfer market in January, will be compelled to source his ideal left back.

It’s one of the most important positions on the pitch, so be sure Mourinho won’t rest on his laurels as he tirelessly searches for solutions to lead Spurs back to the Promise Land.