Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen might be getting frustrated with the role of left-back, but he has the backing of his club manager, Andre Villas-Boas, who feels the Belgium star is one of the best central defenders in the world at present.
The versatile Belgian was deployed at left-back role this season, due to injuries to first-choice Danny Rose and recent deputy Kyle Naughton. The Belgian star was unhappy with the utility role and expressed his desire to get back in central defence.
He said as quoted in Daily Mirror: “Once there are injuries, I’m the first to fill in the gap. Sometimes it’s better if you can play in only one position.
“Other players specialise on one position and they can completely concentrate. I can play at left-back and I can help the team at times. But everyone knows I am not a left-back.”
However, Villas-Boas says it is an unfortunate situation for him, where the player must make sacrifice for the benefit of the team. The Portuguese says the team respects him and that’s why he has been given the captain’s armband.
“For me, Jan Vertonghen one of the best central defenders in the world,” said Villas Boas as quoted in the Belgian newspaper Sportwereld.
“Unfortunately, the situation is such that he must sacrifice to the left. The team interest is more important. We know that John makes a sacrifice, and that is why we respect him and we gave him the captain’s armband at times. But he knows that as soon as Danny Rose returns from injury, he will play center again. ”
Danny Rose will be available in about three weeks time from now, while another Belgian Nacer Chadli is fit again after recovering from hamstring injury.
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