Jan Vertonghen wants to play in the Premier League
23 Year old Ajax central defender, Vertonghen, has issued a come and get me call to Premier League clubs after reported interest from Arsenal, Everton and Tottenham. The Belgian International has come through the football academy at Ajax which is famous for producing players such as Johan Cruyff, Patrick Kluivert, among others.
Having been at the club since the age of 16, Vertonghen has matured into an assured central defender but over the years he has been deployed in a number of positions including left back and central midfield. Due to being left footed, he has also been asked, on occasion, to play at the left of the midfield, something which has helped him become used to having the ball at both his feet.
Traditionally defenders have been known for rough tackling and kicking the ball long when the goal is in danger, but Vertonghen is a more complete footballer, relying on his impressive technique to deal with any kind of threat.
Jan Vertonghen wants to move to a Premier League club, following in the footsteps of his close friend, Thomas Vermaelen. The Arsenal defender plays alongside Vertonghen at the international level and both of them were also together at the academy in Ajax. If Arsene Wenger chooses to sign the young defender, it could be a re-union of two of the best central defenders to come out of the Ajax academy in recent years.
Former Tottenham Coach, Martin Jol, is the manager of Ajax at the moment is he is another who rates the young Belgian very highly. His former club have been enquiring about the availability of Vertonghen but so far Ajax have managed to hold on to the talented defender.
Vertonghen has shown a great deal of maturity through the transfer saga and has reiterated that he wants to stay at the club, for at least another year, so that he can improve his game with some much needed game time. Due to the competitive nature of the Premier League, it would be difficult for the young Belgian to make a place for himself in the starting line-up right now and it is better for him to get some experience in the Dutch Eredivisie.
The Ajax central defender has not let football interfere with his education and has been trying to complete a four year degree in Sports Marketing along with playing professionally for Ajax in Amsterdam. His talent off the pitch could help him settle down in England once he decides to move, with a number of clubs lining up for his signature due to his growing reputation.
Ajax, over the years, has become renowned for selling all of the best players that come through its academy and it seems that Vertonghen will be going the same way. This selling has contributed to a weak Ajax side than that of the 70’s and 80’s and it is difficult to understand why the club has become a supplier of talent. The fans will be disappointed that yet another one of their favorites is set to leave soon but for now, at least, they have at their disposal one of the most promising defenders in Europe at the moment.
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