Jan Vertonghen relaxed over Tottenham team-mate Toby Alderweireld's contract situation

Dynamic duo | Alderweireld and Vertonghen
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images
James Benge25 March 2018

Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen says he is not concerned by the possible departure of his team-mate Toby Alderweireld.

Spurs may consider offers for Belgium centre-back Alderweireld this summer, when he will have only 12 months left on his contract and with talks over an extension having reached an impasse.

At both club and international level Alderweireld and Vertonghen have established themselves as one of world football’s most formidable defensive duos but the latter is not overly concerned about the prospect of a break-up.

“Whenever we play we understand each other,” Vertonghen said. “When I left for Tottenham, Toby left for Atletico (Madrid) and Southampton but we found each other quite quick after that, so no stress.

“We've been playing together for a long time and we know how to play together but I don't want to speak about this because it might sound disrespectful to whoever is playing next to me or next to Toby in other situations.”

Alderweireld has made just two appearances for Spurs since suffering a hamstring injury in November, with Mauricio Pochettino insisting the 29-year-old lacked the match sharpness to be reintegrated into the side.

However Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has declared Alderweireld fit and the Spurs defender could feature against Saudi Arabia in Tuesday’s friendly.

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