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Mauricio Pochettino does not think Tottenham should hand Jan Vertonghen a new contract as he is concerned about the Belgian’s mobility, according to Football Insider.

Vertonghen has entered the final year of his contract and has expressed his desire to sign an extension. Spurs do not generally offer new deals to players over 30, although 30-year-old Moussa Sissoko recently signed a new four-year contract. Vertonghen will be 33 when his current deal expires.

The centre-back was left out of the team at the beginning of the season amid question marks over his fitness and rumours of a falling out with Pochettino, but he has been a regular starter since returning to the team just a few games into the campaign.

However, despite his improved game time Vertonghen apparently isn’t worthy of a new contract in Pochettino’s eyes. Football Insider claims the Tottenham boss is concerned about Vertonghen’s mobility over 90 minutes.

Though the report may be slightly speculative, there is logic here. Vertonghen has looked slow and a little clumsy of late, particularly when he is back-peddling in one-on-one situations, as he did a few times against Watford on Saturday.

Regardless of whether he will be handed an extension, Tottenham must start looking for long-term replacements for Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld or start putting more faith in Davinson Sanchez and Juan Foyth.

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