Jose Mourinho is reportedly evaluating Jan Vertonghen’s ankle problems which have been called a ‘mystery’ before handing the Belgian international a contract.
Football Insider report that the 32-year-old’s injury woes have been a reason why Vertonghen has struggled in recent weeks for Spurs, with the report claiming that Mourinho needs to be convinced over the next few months that Vertonghen can reach his former prime.
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Vertonghen is one of three Tottenham stars that has their current deal with the club expiring at the end of the season as details from Transfermarkt show, with Toby Alderweireld and Christian Eriksen also facing the possibility of leaving the club for free next summer.
Yet the former Ajax centre-back is seemingly a player that Spurs are willing to keep hold of based on this goal from Mourinho to Vertonghen despite the Belgian centre-back being the oldest of the three players who could leave for free next year.
Vertonghen has proven in his seven years with Tottenham, though, to be a quality centre-back as well as a versatile defender, with stats from Transfermarkt showing that the Premier League star has been accomplished for Spurs at both centre-back and left-back.
The Belgian’s importance to the Spurs squad since his arrival from the Netherlands will seemingly make Vertonghen a player Mourinho is eager to keep at the club, with Sky Sports News reporting that the defender himself is also keen to remain in north London heading into the later years of his career.
Vertonghen has been part of the Tottenham furniture since the club’s surge as a top-four Premier League club, and keeping the 32-year-old around for just a bit longer could be a smart move from Spurs to ensure numbers at the back remain solid.