It was one solid step into the Champions League Quarter-Finals for Tottenham Hotspur with a fantastic 3-0 win over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium this week.
Goals for Son Heung-Min and Fernando Llorente either side of a Jan Vertonghen strike completed a joyous night for Mauricio Pochettino’s men against the current Bundesliga leaders and it was the Belgian defender Vertonghen, operating in the left wing-back position, who came in for the most praise from delighted Spurs fans having also been the provider for Son’s opener.
No player on the pitch in white managed more interceptions, clearances, and attempts on targets, nor blocked more crosses, all coming from a position he is not used to taking at club level.
The fact that he also contributed both a goal and an assist - a stunning curling ball into the Dortmund box to lay it on a plate for the Korean Son - is simply the proverbial icing on the cake.
“Wow didn’t know vertonghen was that versatile” (@haziqrafi)
“Vertonghen is a better left back than Chelsea have at the club and he's a center back. Sums up the club” (@Cherishing)
“Tweeting Jan Vertonghen is the best wing back in the world every day until Poch plays him there again” (@_JacobAlli)
Furthermore, Vertonghen brought to mind former star Gareth Bale who truly announced himself on the European stage with a sensational performance for Spurs against Inter Milan back in 2010, terrorising the nerazzurri on the same flank.
“Vertonghen has looked like Gareth bale tonight when he was in a spurs shirt.. been class!!!” (@jamespyattxox)
“Didn’t know if I was watching Vertonghen or Gareth Bale in that second half…” (@dan_ovenden)
“Who needs Bale - we’ve got Super Jan Vertonghen!!” (@THFCFootballCO)
Ultimately, however, most fans won’t want Vertonghen to go the same way as Bale, who eventually had to leave for giants Real Madrid in a record-breaking deal back in 2013.
The second-leg between Spurs and Dortmund takes place on March 5th at the Westfalenstadion, with many hoping the Belgian defender emulates the performance seen this week.
