Plenty of Tottenham Hotspur supporters were left feeling sorry for Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen after their 3-2 FA Cup fourth-round replay victory against Southampton on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old started the game against the Saints, but he was substituted by Jose Mourinho after just 54 minutes and replaced by Gedson Fernandes (BBC Sport).
He was visibly upset that he had been brought off, walking around the pitch slowly without any interaction with the Spurs fans and looking like he was on the verge of tears (The Sun).
Vertonghen has been a key player for Tottenham for many years. Since joining in 2012, he has made 307 appearances for them in all competitions, scoring 13 goals in that time (Transfermarkt). However, it seems that this season he has been on the decline. Indeed he has been in and out of the line-up of late, starting just three of their last six matches in all competitions (Transfermarkt).
He certainly struggled against Southampton, just 68% of his passes were accurate, he lost possession 15 times, he made one error which led to a shot and was dribbled past once too, so it is understandable why he was brought off (SofaScore).
Loads of Spurs fans have been reacting to the way Vertonghen looked after being substituted, with most admitting that it is really sad that a player who has been so good for them down the years looks like he knows that his time at the top level may be up.
Here is what some said about it on Twitter…
It’s heartbreaking bloody hell
I’m really gutted 4 him😭It’s like looking at superman when he realizes he can’t fly anymore
Jan can still offer a lot going forward but he’s just lost that yard or 2 of pace getting backSo 4 a team that doesn’t hold such a high line he’ll B gr8 pic.twitter.com/VFIfAZCiE3
— McCrory (@SuperHotspursfc) February 5, 2020
You know it‘s really sad seeing a club veteran like Vertonghen looking very devastated after his substitution. But he is simply just noot good enough anymore, his lack of pace damages our defensive playstyle ☹️
— PeterParker (@PeterPa1907) February 5, 2020
That’s make me feel so sad, seriously
— LARISSA. (@heyitslaris) February 5, 2020
Gutted for him
— banger (@LangtryCo) February 5, 2020
This shot was gut wrenching to see 😔 hope for your bounce back to form Jan, you’ve been crucial for our back line.
— Evan (@Evanificent) February 5, 2020
This really broke my heart, even I knew what Mou did was a tactical change. Get up Super Jan! You’re legend
— Marto Nunu Karta Sasmitha (@caknuu) February 5, 2020
This hurts more than Ledley. We knew King was on borrowed time but Jan’s decline has been startling. 💔
— James Watkins (@JimWatkinsMusic) February 5, 2020
Spurs fans, what were your thoughts about Jan Vertonghen’s reaction to being substituted? Let us know below…
