Villas-Boas reveals ‘open’ talks with Vertonghen about left-back role

Andre Villas-Boas insists Jan Vertonghen understands why the Tottenham Hotspur manager has been playing the Beligan out of position.

Vertonghen, who joined the north London side in an £8m deal from Ajax in 2012, has been forced to play at left-back due to injuries to England Under-21 international Danny Rose and Zeki Fryers.

The Belgium international has made no secret of his deference for his current position, and Villas-Boas confirmed Vertonghen would revert to centre-half when the club’s injury woes ease.

“Jan is one of the best centre halves in the world but unfortunately due to conditions he has to sacrifice [himself] at the moment at left-back,” Villas-Boas said.

“I’ve spoken to him and the conversations are very open. He’ll play at centre-half as soon as Danny Rose comes back. It’s his [position], he knows that. It’s a situation for the good of the team at the moment.”

Villas-Boas also heaped praise on another Spurs centre-half, Michael Dawson, but refused to comment when asked if his captain should be playing for England.

“We had the initial idea to send him on loan [last season] but Michael, so strongly and determined like he is, fought his way back into the team to become the most used centre-half that we had last season,” added the Spurs boss.

“Rightly he started this season. His performances have been excellent – like all of the defensive performances of the team.”

Villas-Boas continued: “It’s not up to me decide who gets called up to England.

“He was very unlucky because last season he got called up by Roy but he got injured in the Premier League before joining.”