Jan Vertonghen has expressed his “love” for Tottenham after returning to the starting line-up but admits he is no closer to signing a new contract with the club.
The Belgian was left out of the team in each of Spurs’ first three Premier League games of the season, but Mauricio Pochettino took the decision to put him back in for Sunday’s north London derby against Arsenal.
There had been suggestions of a falling out between Vertonghen and Pochettino, while the centre-back’s contract situation – he has entered the final year of his current deal – was also said to be causing uncertainty.
Despite rumours of a possible late departure to Bayer Leverkusen, Vertonghen will be staying put. And the 32-year-old says he wants to focus on playing regularly again amid ongoing speculation about his future.
“Any news with my contract situation? No,” Vertonghen said (via the Express).
“I just want to focus on football now. When you don’t play, you realise how important it is and it’s extremely important for me. I’ve been so long with the guys.
“I love the club and I just want to play as much as I can. I feel great and I just want to help the club to win trophies.”
It was pleasing to see Vertonghen back in the team at Arsenal, but there is a chance he was only picked because Davinson Sanchez was needed at right-back due to a number of injuries.
That said, Pochettino’s willingness to select Vertonghen at all shows the pair are on good terms, at least compared to the last few weeks.
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