Vertonghen backs Ajax star

Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen believes his former Ajax team-mate Christian Eriksen can play for any club in the world.

Goal.com revealed earlier in the month that the Denmark international was one of Spurs’ primary targets, although he will remain in the Netherlands until the end of the season.

Vertonghen hailed the 20-year-old as one of the most technically gifted players he has lined up alongside and says he would have no problems adjusting to the Premier League if he made a switch.

“Technically he’s one of the best players I’ve played with,” Vertonghen told the Evening Standard. “He’s right-footed and left-footed and he’s always fit.

“Since he was 17 or 18 years old he’s played every game for Ajax, he’s never been injured, and I think when he gains a bit more physical strength then he can play in every team.

“I don’t want to talk for him but he’s a good player, and I think a good player can play here.”

Spurs beat Swansea City 1-0 on Sunday to move back into fourth place in the top flight and Vertonghen claims that manager Andre Villas-Boas already has a strong squad at his disposal.

The Belgium international also feels that the north London side have coped well with the number of key players that have been sidelined due to injury.

“We have a big squad – too many injuries with Younes (Kaboul), Benoit (Assou-Ekotto), Mousa (Dembele), Scott Parker and now Gareth (Bale) – but even without them we’ve played quite well,” he added.

“When everybody comes back we’ll have a very strong team. Gareth is a world-class player but I think we did well without him (against Swansea).

“We need a little bit more width on the pitch but I think Clint replaced him very well, like he’s replaced all of the strikers already.”