After eight seasons, 12 goals and 315 appearances, the curtain has finally come down on what has been at illustrious Tottenham career for Jan Vertonghen.
From that deflected effort at Old Trafford, to that stunning brace at Anfield later in 2013, the 33-year-old defender has enjoyed plenty of memorable moments at Spurs.
To mark his exit, we’ve narrowed it down to what we think are his top-three.
‘That’ Arsenal tackle
To set the scene. Tottenham have gone from potential title-challengers to in danger of dropping out of the top-four in the space of eight days.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men had suffered consecutive defeats to Burnley and Chelsea and were facing the prospect of a third straight Premier League defeat when Davinson Sanchez conceded an added-time penalty in the north London derby against Arsenal at Wembley.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s spot-kick was saved by Hugo Lloris, but the ball managed to end up back at the feet of the Gabonese striker’s feet courtesy of Alex Iwobi’s cross, only for Vertonghen to make a miraculous goal-saving block from underneath his own crossbar when the Arsenal man looked certain to score from close-range.
If Aubameyang had netted, Spurs would have finished below their rivals and not made the Champions League places, so Vertonghen’s contribution turned out to be mighty important.
Last-gasp winner at Wolves
His sixth and final Premier League goal.
Playing left-back, Vertonghen endured a wretched afternoon against the tricky Adama Traore – which included a thunderous equaliser from the former Barcelona man – but the centre-back had the last laugh when he picked the perfect moment to end his 16-month wait for a Premier League goal by nodding home Christian Eriksen’s 91st-minute corner.
Borussia Dortmund performance
Of his 315 appearances in a Tottenham shirt, many regard this as Vertonghen’s finest. With Ben Davies out injured and Danny Rose rested, the Belgian was tasked with the unfamiliar role of left-wing back.
Firstly, Vertonghen produced an pin-point cross for Heung Min Son side-foot Spurs into the lead just after half-time, before putting Spurs in the driving seat by lashing home Serge Aurier’s delivery in the latter stages at Wembley.
Writing is awesome, you can describe your feelings this way, you can also relax.
Levelled WHL for Plovdiv on Thursday night…..glory glory. Oi ENIC, put Tottenham back how you found it then piss off. (Nice dream)
5th best in Bulgaria and Jose and co making look ugly….fastest pint in the world apparently though back at base.
Run along gooner
[…] mark his exit, Tottenhamblog have narrowed it down to what we think are his […]