Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that Jan Vertonghen is “ready to play” against Inter Milan in Wednesday’s Champions League clash. After consecutive defeats and a draw in their group, Spurs looked dead and buried in Europe. But a recent win over PSV Eindhoven has given them hope of reaching the knockouts.
The Tottenham manager admitted that Vertonghen could have featured on the weekend against Chelsea but he opted for Juan Foyth partnering Toby Alderweireld at the back instead. Spurs’ 3-1 win on Saturday evening vindicated the decision.
Pochettino said to Football.London: “Jan was ready to play against Chelsea but my decision was Foyth and Toby. He’s ready to play. He was working so hard in the last three or four weeks.”
With Foyth not registered for Tottenham’s Champions League squad, Vertonghen could well come straight back into the side. Davinson Sanchez is currently out of action with a hamstring injury so Pochettino isn’t blessed with many options.
Eric Dier can fill in at centre-back, but he may be needed in midfield against Inter. Spurs can’t afford any more slip-ups in Group B. Barcelona are currently top with 10 points while Inter are second on seven.
Tottenham are three points behind their next opponents and could put themselves in with a great chance of progressing if they can win at Wembley. It’s a big game for Vertonghen to come back in, but the Belgian is believed to have been training for weeks so he should be fit enough.
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