Thursday, 11 October 2012

Super Jan Vertonghen Has "Other Ambitions"?

An article at the ever "trustworthy" goal.com states that since deputising (and massively impressing) for Benny at left back, Super Jan is far from happy in that position. Before this is picked up and twisted by the rest of the British media in their endless tirade against AVB, let us attempt to quash the Jan wants out suggestions that will inevitably form.

Goal.com quotes Jan with the following...

Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen has spoken of his desire to return to the centre of defence, suggesting he has "other ambitions" than playing at left back.
"At Tottenham I play left back because of injuries. Marc Wilmots likes that perhaps, but I've got other ambitions," 

Ominous, angry and to the point.

However, reading numerous Belgian sport sites, the quotes conveniently shortened by goal.com actually continue and are somewhat softer...
"My best position remains in the centre. I always do my best, but I hope in the future to get a place in the centre of defence at Spurs." 

Less ominous, less angry, and more accommodating.

For the first time in a long time, the defensive options at Spurs are excellent and the long term future of the Spurs defence is very rosy indeed. We have Vertonghen (25), Kaboul (26) and Caulker (20), of which two out of the three could form a world class centre back pairing together at Spurs for the next 10 years. It's difficult to choose the exact configuration though, because in a few years time, all three of them will be too good to sit on the bench.

But, and I'm just playing devil’s advocate here, what about leaving Vertonghen at left back and developing Caulker and Kaboul as the central uber-pairing? Regular readers of this site will know how much I like Benny, but in the few games Vertonghen has played for us at left back, he's turned in performances that Benny has the potential for, but only does on his very best days.

Or what about moving Kaboul out to right back when he's fit and having Vertonghen and Caulker as the uber-pair? Kaboul has similarly been amazing filling in on the flank and with Walker having a somewhat dodgy start to the season, it could be that Kaboul would be better there.

But then again, is it more important to keep a top player like Vertonghen happy by playing him where he wants to be, in central defence, despite the fact that his contribution to the team may be better on the left?

AVB must be over the moon that he has so much quality in defence to choose from. Especially with players that can fill in all over the back four. I know I am. The future's bright. The future's lilywhite!

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