Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino dropped Jan Vertonghen from his squad against Aston Villa due to his poor fitness level and a difficult pre-season, according to the Times.
The Belgian defender was a surprise omission from the matchday squad as Tottenham came from behind to beat Aston Villa at home on the opening day of their season.
Pochettino confirmed after the game that an injury was not behind his decision to drop Vertonghen from the squad for his side’s Premier League opener.
There are suggestions that the Tottenham boss has clashed with the 32-year-old behind the scenes and there are tensions between the two.
However, Pochettino wanted to make a statement by keeping the defender out of his squad against Aston Villa at the weekend.
The Argentine has been left unhappy by the defender’s fitness levels and was also concerned about him in pre-season.
There is also the sideshow of Vertonghen’s contract, which only has a year left on it as things stand.
Pochettino could be preparing for life without the experienced Belgian defender and all eyes will be on when he is involved again.
