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4. Jan Vertonghen
Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen has sparked rumours of a potential exit following his emotional reaction to getting substituted in their 3-2 win over Southampton in the FA Cup fourth-round replay. The Belgian was visibly upset as he was walking towards the sidelines with a look of a man who knows his days at Spurs are numbered.
Vertonghen has been a quintessential part of the Tottenham starting XI ever since his arrival in 2012. He has been a great asset for the club and one of their most reliable defenders over the years. His versatility and adaptability has allowed him to play at left-back on various occasions but centre-half remains his preferred position. The 32-year-old has been stalwart in defence in previous seasons but has been way below par this term.
His partnership with Belgium compatriot Toby Alderweireld was perhaps one of the best centre-back pairings in Europe, but his lack-lustre performances and vulnerable defending have surprised many this season. Vertonghen has looked a shadow of the player he once was, and his walk of shame on Wednesday night was an indication of a potential move out of London.
Former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino once claimed that Vertonghen was one of the fittest players in his squad and that he could play top-flight football even in his 40s. With age catching up and morale at its lowest, we could see one of Tottenham Hotspur’s best players of the last decade leave the club in an unfortunate manner.
