Squad have learnt from Champions League final, says Vertonghen
Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane reacts after the final whistle of the Champions League Final against Liverpool (pic: Mike Egerton/PA Images). - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
The long-serving Belgian will hope to end his and Spurs’ quest for silverware this season
Tottenham Hotspur's Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld during a training session at Wanda Metropolitano (pic: Martin Rickett/PA Images). - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
Jan Vertonghen has been a key figure in the Spurs back four since he arrived in 2012 and he is hopeful the players can use the experience of last season to their advantage
This will be the centre back's eighth campaign at the club and silverware has eluded him and Tottenham Hotspur so far.
Last season was the closest Mauricio Pochettino has got to winning a trophy since he was appointed in May 2014.
Spurs reached their second final under the Argentinian, but this time the Champions League final and yet it ended with a 2-0 loss to Liverpool.
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Tottenham suffered a defeat by the same score in the final of the League Cup to rivals Chelsea four years ago, but this proved a springboard for a couple of title challenges.
In back-to-back seasons, the Lilywhites fell short in races for the championship, losing out to Leicester City in 2016 and Antonio Conte's Blues 12 months later.
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Both were unexpected title challenges, but the squad is eager to use the experience of the past campaign, especially in the Champions League, to their benefit this time.
Vertonghen said: "Yes, we learnt from it (the final defeat to Liverpool) and we gained a lot of confidence from those (knock-out) games as well.
"We know we can beat any team even over two games and it is good and we want to taste it more."
In Tottenham's run to the final in Madrid, they stunned Borussia Dortmund, Premier League winners Manchester City and Ajax - all the while as underdogs.
This shows what the team is capable of and Vertonghen believes a full pre-season will also help them progress in the upcoming campaign.
He added: "The rest is very important, a full pre-season is good to prepare a couple of things and to put a good base for the rest of the season and I think it all went very well."
Squad-wise, England right-back Kieran Trippier has left, signing for Atletico Madrid and Fernando Llorente has departed on a free transfer.
Tottenham secured Tanguy Ndombele for a club-record fee of £65 million though as well as others and big things are expected.
"Yes, the squad looks good," Vertonghen added. "Tanguy is a great addition, so I think everyone is very positive."
The talking stops now, however, and Spurs will aim to start on a high at home to Aston Villa on Saturday in a 5.30pm kick-off.
