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Mauricio Pochettino backs his decision to overlook Jan Vertonghen for Tottenham captaincy
TOTTENHAM boss Mauricio Pochettino insists his decision to overlook Jan Vertonghen as club captain is not because of the defender’s contract situation.
The 27-year-old Belgian, who joined White Hart Lane two years ago, was strongly tipped to take the armband following the departure of Michael Dawson in the summer.
However, Pochettino instead opted for 28-year-old centre-back Younes Kaboul, with Emmanuel Adebayor, 30, and Hugo Lloris, 27, his vice captains.
The decision appeared to have been a direct result of Vertonghen’s reluctance to sign a new deal at Spurs, but Pochettino has rubbished those claims.
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I pick the captain - my decision was to give the armband to Kaboul
“I pick the captain,” said Pochettino, who took charge at Spurs in the summer.
“My decision was to give the armband to Kaboul and to decide that the vice captains are Adebayor and Lloris.
Asked if his selection was based on Vertonghen’s contract situation, he added: “No, it is not about that.”
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