Tottenham: Bond with Pochettino Sealed Janssen’s Move

While AZ Alkmaar dragged out transfer negotiations, joining Tottenham was a quick and easy decision for Vincent Janssen when he flew out to London two weeks ago.

Based on who you ask, first impressions tend to go a long way for people. Seeing someone or something excites the person to the point that they’re taken aback by what they just saw.

For Vincent Janssen, that someone, and something, was no other than Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham’s training ground in Hotspur Way.

Related Story: Pochettino: Janssen Perfect Signing for Tottenham

Yes indeed, it was a meeting with the Argentine manager which came on the heels of his tour around Spurs’ training facility that excited the Dutch international. So much so that he had his heart set on completing a transfer to the north London club.

"“After the tour of the training ground and [White Hart Lane], I knew for sure that this is a fantastic club,” Janssen told De Telegraaf (via ESPN FC).“The conversation with the coach was perfect as there was an immediate bond.”“He was clearly into the game and how he sees my future.”"

Typically, players who send in a transfer to join a club, want to do so because of a team’s rich history, sometimes it’s based on the amount of championships they’ve won in the past or how popular they are around the world.

Other times it’s being given the opportunity to compete in the Champions League against Europe’s best clubs and some of the world’s best players.

Janssen just wanted to join a club who shared the same vision as he did and provides him that next step in his career to challenge himself to become a better player.

Although the 22-year-old is now a Tottenham player, his transfer wasn’t exactly smooth for all three parties involved.

What started out as a simple scouting trip by Mauricio Pochettino and his transfer committee quickly saw Spurs act to seal a move by offering £15 million.

A fee that AZ Alkmaar rejected hoping to hold out for more — but doing so in a passive-aggressive way. A few weeks would past since Tottenham’s first bid, their second bid and AZ finally accepting a £17 million offer.

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"“It’s a huge relief. The negotiations were difficult, but now I am a player of Tottenham Hotspur and would rather just look ahead,” Vincent Janssen continued.“Of course, you doubt if it takes so long. But I’ve always loved to trust that my wish would be fulfilled.”"

Clubs always have the upper hand when it comes to keeping their players from leaving, but when said player is open about wanting to move on, nine out of 10 times, the player gets his wish and switches clubs.

AZ fought valiantly to keep their star striker around but visiting Tottenham’s training facility and talking with Mauricio Pochettino was enough to convince the Dutchman that Spurs were the right team for him.

Now it’s just a matter of time and how long it will take Janssen to adapt to the Premier League. But coming from him, he doesn’t think it will take that long.

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"“To be honest, that doesn’t affect me, and I do not feel any pressure,” Janssen said.“Of course I want to play football. But I will need time to adapt. Yet I know there will be plenty of minutes. With the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup I will play many games with Spurs.”“And I’m going to enjoy all the playing time I get.”"