• Premier League

Vertonghen hints at Spurs frustration

ESPN staff
November 5, 2013
Jan Vertonghen was played out of position against Everton © PA Photos
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Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen has hinted at his frustration at being played at left-back by manager Andre Villas-Boas.

Vertonghen, 26, played in a wide area instead of his usual centre-back position due to the absence of injured duo Danny Rose and Kyle Naughton.

And Vertonghen suggested that he is not happy having to play in another role.

"It feels like that sometimes," he is quoted as saying on Belgian TV. "I can play at left-back and I can help the team at times. But everyone knows I am not a left-back.

"Once there are injuries, I'm the first to fill in the gap. Sometimes it's better if you can play in only one position.

"You see that with other players. These guys specialise in one position and they can completely concentrate."

Vertonghen's comments come on the back of recent criticism pointed at Villas-Boas for failing to protect injured goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

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