Fighting with Leicester City for the vast majority of the 2015-16 season for the Premier League title, Tottenham’s end of season collapse saw the London side overtaken by Arsenal on the final day, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side eventually finishing third.
The 5-1 loss against Newcastle, who were already relegated at that stage, was costly as Arsène Wenger’s men beat Aston Villa 4-0, and is a memory most Spurs fans will want to forget, even if their side qualified for the Champions League.
Adding to the disappointment was an earlier than expected exit at the Euros with Belgium, yet Jan Vertonghen admits he never really had time to think about it all, having to focus on the current season so soon after returning form France.
Despite not winning a trophy last season, the Spurs defender is able to boast that he was part of the best defence in the league for the 2015-16 campaign, which was helped by a great understanding with Toby Alderweireld in the centre of defence, who joined Tottenham at the beginning of last season.
Vertonghen also revealed that Tottenham didn’t use a psychiatrist to help players focus, unlike a lot of Premier League sides, but that he had instead instilled a routine to help him get in the zone before a game.
Vertonghen explained: “At the start of my career, I had a problem focusing for 90 minutes, but that’s the advantage of football: it’s a team game. If we switch off, the others are there to compensate. I have Toby for that!
“You can, however, set up a routine to help your match focus. I always eat the same thing on game day, or I read a book to calm myself.”
It’s always nice to know that someone has your back, and having played together at both Ajax and Tottenham, Spurs fans are lucky enough to have one of the best centre-back pairings in the Premier League.
Talent is one thing, but understanding your teammates is another, and it seems the duo have both those things in abundance.
