Jan Vertonghen has insisted that fellow Tottenham Hotspur defender Kevin Wimmer being a good player pushes him to improve his game.
The Austrian international, who joined Spurs from 1.FC Koln in the summer, did not manage to feature heavily earlier in the season, owing to Vertonghen and fellow summer signing Toby Alderweireld’s impressive partnership at the heart of Tottenham’s defence.
However, with the Belgian currently being sidelined after picking up a knee ligament injury in late January, Wimmer has succeeded in stepping up in 28-year-old’s absence.
And Vertonghen, who lauded the competition for places at White Hart Lane, explained that he was always aware about Wimmer’s qualities.
"I always knew Kevin was a very good player and that’s what pushes me to improve as well", Vertonghen told the club’s official site.
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"There is competition for places all over the pitch and that’s what makes the squad so strong.
"Everyone fits in to the team easily in all competitions and that’s the strength that we have here.
“It’s easier to fit players in when the team is doing well even if that’s younger players from the academy, they just fit in to that level.
“That’s all down to the manager and coaching staff and it’s full credit to them."
Wimmer, whose present contract with Tottenham runs until 2020, has thus far made 10 appearances in all competitions for the north London outfit.
The 23-year-old started his playing career at Austrian club LASK Linz in 2011 before joining FC Koln the following year.
Wimmer has two senior caps for Austria to his name.
