Jan Vertonghen is out of contract at Tottenham next summer and isn’t any closer to signing a new deal. The 32-year-old was left out of the starting XI earlier in the season after worries over his fitness levels, and Wayne Veysey of the Football Insider says Mauricio Pochettino is ‘concerned’ that Vertonghen’s performances aren’t deserving of a contract extension.
The Belgian international has made four appearances in all competitions this season – 2-2 vs Arsenal (Premier League) on September 1, 4-0 vs Crystal Palace (Premier League) on September 14, 2-2 vs Olympiacos (Champions League) on September 18 and 1-2 vs Leicester City (Premier League) on September 21 – and has only been on the winning side once.
He didn’t make the matchday squad on the opening day against Aston Villa (August 10) and was left on the bench against Manchester City (August 17) and Newcastle United (August 25). Tottenham have conceded six goals in Vertonghen’s four appearances, keeping just one clean sheet, so he’s not having the best impact on the team.
Clearly Pochettino isn’t happy with what he’s seen from the central defender and is having second thoughts about retaining his services past 2020.