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Is it the beginning of the end for Tottenham Hotspur veteran?

By Gary Pearson

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur leaves the pitch after being substituted off during the FA Cup Fourth Round Replay match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 05, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur leaves the pitch after being substituted off during the FA Cup Fourth Round Replay match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 05, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Based on numerous recent poor performances, one has to wonder if it’s the beginning of the end for stalwart Jan Vertonghen at Tottenham. 

Jan endured yet another woeful display in last night’s match against Southampton. Sluggish and noticeably laboured, the Belgian veteran is miles off the pace. The 32-year-old was obviously disconsolate after being withdrawn in the 54th minute of yesterday’s FA Cup replay.

Staring blankly into the distance for what seemed like an eternity, one has to think Jan was contemplating the very same thing. In that moment it felt like he knew his time at the top level is coming to a fast, unforgiving end.

There is no way Tottenham, based on recent performances, are going to sign the veteran Belgian to a contract extension. Jan’s contract expires at the end of the current campaign.

Having devoted, after arriving in 2012, the lion’s share of his senior career to the north London side, the consummate professional is highly lauded in Spurs quarters. And, no matter what transpires in the coming months, he always will be.

The elite level of professional football can be particularly unforgiving, as Jan is currently finding out. The Belgian was an influential figure in Spurs’ march to the Champions League Final last season, almost single-handedly on a couple of occasions keeping his side afloat.

Time, wear and tear and physical deterioration can be harsh on a player whose made a living on hard-nosed, no-nonsense tackles. Never the most fleet of foot defender, Jan always made up for his slight lack of pace with unparalleled positional play and his irrefutable footballing intelligence.

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Unfortunately his legs are now letting him down, and even his astute positional play and intelligence cannot overcome the unstoppable sands of time acceleration.

Hopefully he can finish this season strong and end his illustrious Spurs’ career in glorious fashion. But regardless of how the next four months go, he’ll always be regarded as one of the club’s all-time great centre backs.

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