Jan Vertonghen's Injury Bad News but No Catastrophe for Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur's veteran centre back Jan Vertonghen has suffered a potentially serious ankle injury on European Championship duty with Belgium. 

According to the Guardian, Vertonghen could be out of action for as long as eight weeks. 

"

Jan Vertonghen has a 'serious' ankle injury. Flew with squad to Lille, but will undergo more exams. Possible ligament damage. #thfc #bel

— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) June 30, 2016"

Belgian reporter Kristof Terreur was unwilling to commit to the same timeline but confirmed that Vertonghen could be set for a period on the sidelines. 

Regardless of the exact length of Vertonghen's recovery, this news means that England's finest centre back partnership will be severed for the opening weeks of the Premier League season. 

Vertonghen and his compatriot Toby Alderweireld were a vital part of Spurs' league-leading defence last season, and to break up their partnership is less than ideal. 

Fortunately, Tottenham have Kevin Wimmer available as an immediate replacement. 

Wimmer is a player of comparable quality to Vertonghen, although more physical and less technically gifted. 

The Austrian is unlikely to match Vertonghen's slaloming runs through the first line of the opposition's defence. 

When Vertonghen went down injured last season, Spurs adapted quickly and Wimmer started 15 consecutive games without incident. 

Wimmer's presence means that Vertonghen is the first-team player that they can most afford to lose to a long-term injury. 

Of course, Wimmer's move into the starting lineup means that Tottenham's squad depth is at its limit. 

There are no first-team quality centre backs available to step in if he or Alderweireld is injured or suspended.

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

While Eric Dier has the capacity to play that role, his contribution is required from central midfield. 

The ongoing suspension of Mousa Dembele only increases the importance of Dier remaining higher up the pitch. 

The signing of Victor Wanyama also eases concerns somewhat as both he and Dier could be emergency options in defence, but neither is best-suited to that role. 

If nothing else goes wrong, Spurs should be able to ride out Vertonghen's absence without incident, and the Belgian will return after an enforced period of rest he would otherwise not have gotten. 

Despite signing both Alderweireld and Wimmer last summer, Tottenham were one defender light. 

With Federico Fazio sent back to Sevilla on loan, Vlad Chiriches sold to Napoli and Dier converted into a midfielder, there was no right-footed centre back in reserve. 

Fortunately for Spurs, Alderweireld managed a Herculean 55 appearances in all competitions. 

It would be reckless to assume that he can repeat the feat in the next campaign. 

Manager Mauricio Pochettino must address this concern in this transfer window. 

Cameron Carter-Vickers and Dom Ball are academy players who could be called upon to fill the void if the need arrives, but they could not realistically be considered first-team options immediately. 

Instead, a player of Wimmer's level must be sought. 

Tottenham took a significant step forward last season. 

Finishing third, albeit in disappointing fashion, was an achievement for a club that had failed to do so for decades. 

Now, with Champions League football to play for a league title with no obvious favourites, that team can write itself into the club's history. 

Last season began with a stutter as Spurs won just three points from their first four games and conceded a lead to Leicester City that could not be overcome. 

If progress is to be made once again in this campaign, it is vital that they start strongly. 

Vertonghen's injury is a blow to their hopes, but it need not be a fatal one. 

Wimmer has proved himself as more than just a capable understudy but now must carry the weight of Tottenham's ambition.

The last time that Spurs reached the Champions League, they gave a fine account of themselves and reached the quarter-finals. 

However, the club failed to reinforce the squad adequately, and their Premier League performances suffered. 

The result of that failure was a six-year absence from Europe's premier competition as well as the departure of stars like Luka Modric and Gareth Bale. 

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Tottenham's exciting young team has the potential to grow into a genuine contender at the very top of European football, but the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich will be ready to snatch their talent if they slip up again. 

Vertonghen's injury should serve as a warning.