Mauricio Pochettino knew within just 20 minutes that he got things wrong yesterday. The Argentine started with three central defenders, and it was clear a change was needed. However, the way the change came about was awful, as Jan Vertonghen suffered a horrendous head injury and couldn’t even walk off the pitch when substituted.
39 – @JanVertonghen can’t continue and we’re forced into our first substitution.
#THFC 0-1 #AFCAjax pic.twitter.com/fJmFBeNFtR
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) 30 April 2019
Jan Vertonghen has been one of the most consistent and best defenders in both the Premier League and in Europe this season and for a number of seasons for that matter. There were no secrets that he went into the clash last night not fully fit having missed West Ham on Saturday, and when he suffered a problem you feared the worst.
The Lilywhites are still in the tie against Ajax when they travel to The Netherlands having only lost 1-0 last night. That’s not what the fans are talking about, though, as they’re still worried for their Belgian defender. Head injuries are becoming more and more of a problem with fears for footballer’s health in later life, Vertonghen should never have tried to play on, and even the referee allowed him back on. It should never have been allowed, though, and could have made things much worse.
You can read the Lilywhites’ verdict on Vertonghen’s injury here:
That looked scary, get well soon Jan…
— Artturi 🇫🇮 (@thfcTuri) April 30, 2019
Couldn’t even walk
— (@charliels1) 30 April 2019
I’m so worried! Send to us updates about Jan! Get well soon, Super Jan
— LARISSA. (@heyitslaris) 30 April 2019
https://twitter.com/OldManHotspur/status/1123312101064359936
https://twitter.com/hollyoa64682494/status/1123311784910381057
Jesus he shouldn't have been allowed to step on the pitch again… hope he will be ok, looked really scary
— Marcin (@marciatko99) April 30, 2019
Horrific. Get well soon Jan.
— Rizzla ʷᵉ'ʳᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ (@loopyrizla) April 30, 2019
https://twitter.com/jmewhyte/status/1123315352455114752
https://twitter.com/brettconner_/status/1123316899339747328
The Lilywhites weren’t at all happy that Vertonghen tried to play on yesterday and will just be hoping he can recover properly, even if it means he misses Ajax next Wednesday.
