Tottenham: Pochettino reveals his defensive transfer plans ; striker set to stay

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Interesting news has been emerging from White Hart Lane over the past day, with the revelation that following the scans on Jan Vertonghen’s injury – which the 29-year-old sustained after appearing to roll his ankle in Spurs’ 4-0 win over West Brom – surgery will not be required, and that the Belgian is likely to return in roughly six weeks.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino had feared a lengthier injury lay-off for one of his first-choice centre-halves, given that initial scans revealed that he had sustained ankle ligament damage. In light of this boost regarding his recovery time-frame, the Argentine, speaking at the club’s press conference on Thursday ahead of Spurs’ visit to Manchester City at the weekend, declared that the club would not be in the market for a defender, with Vertonghen set to return by early March.

Speaking of the former Ajax defender, Pochettino said, as quoted in the Daily Mirror: “Jan Vertonghen is okay, he’s very positive. We expect six weeks, less than at first.

“We don’t want to set the time limit. When your mind is positive it’s easier to recover. He doesn’t require surgery.”

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Pochettino also pointed out that he already has ready-made replacements within the ranks at White Hart Lane, who are ready to step up in the Belgian’s absence: “We have plenty of players that can perform in his place and we are very happy with the squad and the players we have”.

That statement may well provide answers as to the future of two of the club’s fringe players who have been linked with moves away from North London in recent weeks, Austria international centre-back Kevin Wimmer, and capped Welsh defender Ben Davies.

Wimmer’s agent Mithat Halis, speaking to ESPN FC, revealed earlier in the week that the former has already been the subject of failed bids from former club Cologne, along with other clubs in the Premier League and Bundesliga.

Meanwhile, Davies has reportedly attracted interest from Crystal Palace, according to the London Evening Standard, and Manchester City, according to a report in the Sun, which surfaced earlier this month.  

The Evening Standard revealed last month that Wolfsburg, Borussia Dortmund, and Southampton were three of the clubs keeping tabs on Wimmer, but taking into consideration the latest news that Spurs have rebuffed interest in the Austrian thus far, it seems that he is likely to remain at White Hart Lane beyond January.  It is also probable that the former Cologne man is one of the players Pochettino was referring to in his comments, as a ready-made replacement prepared to return to the starting line-up to fill the void vacated by the injured Vertonghen.

Elsewhere, London Evening Standard journalist Tom Collomosse has suggested that Davies is equally unlikely to head through the revolving door before the transfer window slams shut, with Vertonghen’s injury rendering him, like Wimmer, of increased importance to Pochettino’s side. The duo are likely to be competing for a starting spot in Pochettino’s new-look three-man defence, and in Davies’ case, even if his teammate Wimmer wins the starting-jersey, the versatile Welshman may still be required to act as cover for left-back Danny Rose.

Tottenham will also be resuming their European exploits in February, with their Europa League Round of 32 tie against Belgian outfit, Ghent. With games once again coming thick and fast, the effects of which his side felt earlier in the campaign, Pochettino is highly likely to be rotating his squad to keep key players fresh for their Premier League title chase. With such a reliance, therefore, on his side’s strength-in-depth, Pochettino may well have had both defenders primed for more minutes on the pitch even before the loss of Vertonghen. That said, the need for one of the two to now step into the first-team fold seems to have ruled out the possibility of Pochettino or chairman Daniel Levy sanctioning a move away for either of them.

The two defenders aren’t the only peripheral figures set to remain at the club this January either, after misfiring summer signing Vincent Janssen turned down the opportunity of a move to Galatasaray, according to the player’s agent, Patrick van Diemen.

Speaking to Dutch outlet Omroep Brabant, van Diemen said: “He (Vincent Janssen) decided to turn down all interest”.

“Galatasaray came with an offer but Vincent will stay with Tottenham Hotspur. He decided to turn down the opportunity of a move”.

With one Premier League goal in 15 appearances, five of which were starts, the £18.5 million signing from AZ Alkmaar has been something of a disappointment this campaign. Janssen has suffered an injury set-back in that time, however, and although Mauricio Pochettino has not hinted that the club is looking to offload the Dutch international, it seems that his lack of minutes was enough for the Turkish giants to table a bid.

Janssen however, last season’s leading scorer in the Eredivisie, has claimed that he wants to fight for his place in the Spurs side, rather than engineer a move away in search of regular football.

“Vincent chose Tottenham in the summer fully aware of what his chances would be to play. He signed a long-term contract with a good club with fantastic facilities and a good coach”, van Diemen continued.

“Before he got injured, he got playing time every week. He is enjoying his time here and wants to fight for his chance.”

With the return of the Europa League edging ever closer, and Spurs through to the fourth round of the FA Cup, despite being unable to dislodge the in-form Harry Kane in the centre-forward position week-by-week, it is unlikely that the forward will be deprived of opportunities to feature outside of the Premier League which can help him kick-start his Spurs career. He will, however, need to grasp his chance with both hands if he is to start coming good on his price-tag and repaying the team with goals. With competition for places at a premium, the Dutchman must start firing to make his case for minutes in the league. If opportunities in the first-team continue to pass him by over the coming months, then it will only serve to fuel further speculation of a move away in the summer.

Featured Image: All Rights Reserved by Serg Hoholok.