Wednesday, 22nd October, 2014
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has denied speculation of a rift with defender Jan Vertonghen, claiming the Belgian has not asked to leave White Hart Lane.
Vertonghen had been tipped to sign a new long-term contract with Spurs, but talks recently ended, while he was also tipped to be named the new club captain, but that role went to Younes Kaboul.
The former Ajax defender has also slipped down the pecking order on the pitch and was on the bench for Spurs' 4-1 defeat at Manchester City at the weekend.
It has been claimed there is a rift between Vertonghen and Pochettino – but not so says the Argentine, who insists that the defender remains an "important player".
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"Jan is an important player for Tottenham and for us", Pochettino was quoted as saying by ITV.
"But a lot of rumours and information and different situations, and for me it's easy because I don't read it. Never.
"I know the players are sometimes affected by comment or rumours and they call me about the rumours but Jan is a very important player for Tottenham and for me."
And the Argentine manager revealed that Vertonghen has not aired any feelings of discontent to him, leaving him firmly with the impression that the defender is happy at White Hart Lane.
"I never hear from Jan that he wants to leave or change something.
"After it is impossible to hear or to trust in other people around him because for me it is important when we have a chat inside my office that never Jan told me he wants to leave the club.
"I have trust in my player and Jan never told me about that. He is happy at Tottenham. Maybe sometimes he wants to play more but my decision is to take a decision. He is happy and I'm happy with him."
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