Vincent Janssen has undoubtedly not got off to the start he would have liked at Tottenham.
The Dutchman was signed in the summer as back-up for Harry Kane, but has scored just once since his arrival from AZ Alkmaar – and that came in the form of a penalty against League One Gillingham.
Christian Eriksen, who was on a hat-trick at the time, has admitted he allowed Janssen to take the spot-kick because he felt sorry for him, and it’s easy to see why.
Hopes were perhaps too high for Janssen to emulate Kane’s form. He may have top-scored in last season’s Eredivisie, but the Premier League is a very different beast.
Nonetheless, Spurs need to be patient with the striker. According to Squawka, Janssen has created just six chances in his seven league appearances so far, while less than half of his chances fall on target.
What needs to happen with the 22-year-old is a reassessment of what he’s there for – not a hope that he’ll hit 20+ goals this season, but an acceptance that in coming into the side, he can hold the ball up well, just as Kane does, and allow faster players such as Heung Min-Son and Erik Lamela to continue pressing from the front.
Oh my god what a goal from Janssen pic.twitter.com/OvYixOlNQJ
— Jake. (@YedIin) October 7, 2016
As it happens, Janssen did score a brilliant goal for Holland against Belarus on Friday night, which has given another reminder of what he’s capable of. It may not be quite the time for him to start replicating that for Spurs just yet.
Check out Football Advisor for profitable betting predictions
Brian
Oct 8, 2016 at 9:51 pm
Janssen has had the same time as tthree full games. Not worth amention in this defence?