Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld made Ajax a tough place to visit, says ex-Tottenham manager Martin Jol

Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld made Ajax a tough place to visit, says ex-Tottenham manager Martin Jol
Four Tottenham stars will take on their former club Ajax in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday evening.Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Christian Eriksen and Davinson Sanchez all played in Amsterdam before embarking on a career in north London since.2

Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld have formed a solid defensive partnership at Tottenham

The quartet are likely to line-up against Ajaxs young stars as both clubs eye a place in the Champions League final.Vertonghen, who was 21 at the time and a 20-year-old Alderweireld were part of a watertight Ajax defence in the 2009/10 season under ex-Tottenham manager Martin Jol, conceding just FOUR goals at home all season.“Like Christian [Eriksen], [Vertonghen] is so cool, almost cold,” Jol told the Telegraph.“He doesnt feel any pressure. He was a left-back and a midfielder, but I made him a centre-back and he was so good next to Toby Alderweireld.” 

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Despite their rock solid partnership at the back in that season, Ajax finished a point behind Eredivisie winners FC Twente.This season, the Dutch champions have knocked out holders Real Madrid and Juventus and are looking to cause another Champions League upset this season when they face Spurs.Vertonghen, who came through the ranks at Ajax, is not surprised by his former clubs success in Europe.He said: They just prepare everyone for the highest level and when the kids come on and they almost are kids when they are making their debuts at 17, 18, 19. They are ready, hungry and fearless. They feel the support from the academy and theyve got confidence in their qualities.Ajax is playing at an unbelievable level. You only expect teams from the big countries to do this but Ajax have shown the way to do it.They are always a step ahead of everyone else.2

Alderweireld and Vertonghen, top row, with Eriksen bottom lining up for Ajax alongside Luis Suarez in 2010

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