Tottenham have been served the monumental news that star defender Jan Vertonghen is fit to start against Inter Milan today.
The centre-back has been out of action for two months now, and alongside the injury to fellow defender Dávinson Sánchez, Spurs have had somewhat of an injury crisis.
During this period, manager Mauricio Pochettino has had to turn to 20-year-old Juan Foyth, whose performances have been mixed. However, the Argentinian is ineligible to play as he is not part of the Champions League squad.
But there is absolutely no better player to return for Tottenham ahead of such a crucial fixture. As good as Sánchez has been over the past season and a half, very few would argue that Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld are not the best centre-back combination for The Lilywhites. Vertonghen has been sorely missed, particularly against Barcelona, where Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi were able to carve Spurs’ defence apart.
Of course, there is nothing to say that Vertonghen would have been able to prevent the Argentinian from performing another masterclass, but most fans would have felt safer with him at the back. With a visit to the Nou Camp looming, Vertonghen will be fundamental if Spurs are to have any success, particularly with the good news that Suárez may be out.
However, Tottenham’s first matter at hand is Inter Milan this evening, knowing that anything other than a win will shatter their slim Champions League hopes. Pochettino would have been slightly concerned about this fixture, but Vertonghen’s return will seem like a godsend.
