The Devils must win this Saturday evening against Romania to keep a chance of reaching the round of 16. A meeting for which Jan Vertonghen should regain his starting place. Important moment for the Anderlecht defender.
Still a little skeptical, Jan Vertonghen still doesn’t know what he will do next season. The answer to this question will only come when the Devils have played their last match in this Euro 2024. In addition to a personal challenge, the upcoming matches are also considered the ultimate test.
Jan Vertonghen’s heart wants to continue, that’s for sure. “I feel good, I want to play every minute,” he declared again this week. It is in the head that doubt is present. “Can my body still handle it? Am I still reaching a high enough level?” Questions that Vertonghen constantly debates with himself. However, the outside world seems unanimous: yes, Strong Jan can still play a full season at a good level.
But the Anderlecht player is demanding of himself, and does not want to become a simple follower. Guiding young people and giving them a good example on the pitch is a more than crucial element in the mind of the 37-year-old player. And the day he can no longer do it…
Euro 2024 is the ultimate test for Jan Vertonghen
The biggest compliment for him, already, is that almost every Devils supporter is demanding his presence in the starting eleven against Romania this Saturday, while Vertonghen is back from injury. In Domenico Tedesco’s head, there was never really any doubt either.
Jan Vertonghen wants to end his career with dignity, both for club and national team. A new injury, a lower performance are reasons which could push him not to extend the adventure with the Mauves. A reason why Jesper Fredberg has not yet started looking for someone who can really replace him, even if we suspect that the management of Sporting has already written a few names on a piece of paper, just at case where.
Vertonghen still has fun with Anderlecht and the Devils, but he doesn’t want to spend too much of the season. A reason why this meeting against Romania will be very important for him. After Qatar, there is no question of reliving another humiliation…
