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Tottenham tactics: Two stars can fill in for Jan Vertonghen

By Rucker Haringey

Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen (5) defends against MLS All Stars midfielder Graham Zusi (19) of Sporting Kansas City in the first half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick
Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen (5) defends against MLS All Stars midfielder Graham Zusi (19) of Sporting Kansas City in the first half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick /
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Tottenham can cover for Vertonghen internally

Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham fans around the globe will be on pins and needles until the full extent of Jan Vertonghen’s ankle injury is known. Fortunately for Spurs, they’re blessed with two quality internal options to cover for the talented Belgian.

For the record, Pochettino is not a doctor. Just because he claimed the injury looked bad, it doesn’t necessarily mean Vertonghen is slated for an extended absence. That’s certainly possible, but the knock may turn out to be much less than originally feared once the swelling subsides.

For the sake of this piece, we’ll assume that the club’s worst fears are confirmed. If Vertonghen does face a long-term absence, it will force Pochettino to shuffle his Spurs lineup. The good news is the Argentine gaffer has some solid internal options.

The identity of Vertonghen’s replacement will largely depend on Pochettino’s choice of formation. He began the season employing a 4-2-3-1 but lately, Spurs have thrived playing with three at the back. A different Spurs reserve will cover for Super Jan depending on the formation Poch employs.

If he elects to continue playing three at the back, look for Ben Davies to slide right into Vertonghen’s spot in the starting XI. I’ve been critical of the Welsh international for his lack of courage going forward, but that’s less of an issue playing in a back three.

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Davies also has a ton of international experience playing the role. Wales frequently uses a back three (or five) and deploys Davies as the left-sided centre back. In all honesty, it’s probably Davies’ best position. He lacks the athleticism to play as a true left back, but can be an above-average central defender on the left. Vertonghen’s injury could allow Davies to show Spurs fans his true range of talent.

When Spurs play four at the back, Davies will head back to the bench. Instead, Kevin Wimmer will take Vertonghen’s place in the starting XI. Spurs fans will certainly recall how well the Austrian played in the Belgian’s injury absence last season. A significant portion of the Tottenham fan base even thought Wimmer was ready to usurp Vertonghen’s place coming into this season.

Unfortunately, Wimmer hasn’t managed to build on last year’s solid play. He hasn’t necessarily been poor, but he’s clearly been a step or two below Vertonghen’s level. He’ll need to step up his play if Vertonghen misses significant time.

Next: Tottenham are set for two important returns

My strong suspicion is that Pochettino will continue with three at the back until the formation loses its momentum. That means Ben Davies could be set for an extended run of playing time for Tottenham. Fortunately, Davies has the talent and experience to keep Spurs’ momentum going if Vertonghen’s injury proves to be serious.

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