Tottenham: Vincent Janssen Reflects on Draw against Everton
Tottenham’s £17 million signing, Vincent Janssen, made his Premier League debut yesterday and almost helped Spurs get a win.
Tottenham’s newest striker, Vincent Janssen, didn’t start in yesterday’s game but he would make his debut in the second half.
The 22-year-old made his appearance in the 56th minute to provide Tottenham with a spark. Prior to Janssen’s introduction into the match, Spurs lacked creativity and were trailing 1-0 to Everton at Goodison Park.
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“I think, yeah the second half was better,” Janssen told Spurs TV following the game.
“We had gotten some chances and yeah, in the end we had to win the game.”
Tottenham didn’t win, but without Janssen, Spurs might not have earned a draw.
Vincent Janssen alone wasn’t the sole reason why Tottenham managed to come alive in the second half, but regardless they were creating some chances and looked dangerous for nearly 30 minutes.
“Yeah we did. We started to play football more,” the 22-year-old continued.
“We had more chances, we got more into the opposite half. And then yeah, in the end we needed some luck.”
“But the chances we got, it was nice to score really fast, so [that] we can put pressure on their defense and that’s what we did.”
“I think we deserved to win the second half.”
What’s remarkable about Vincent Janssen is the simple fact that he mostly played with Tottenham’s reserve players than the starters since joining the team.
After completing his long-awaited transfer last month, Spurs’ had a majority of their first-team players resting after competing in the Euros.
It meant that Vincent Janssen (and Victor Wanyama) played closed door friendlies with academy graduates and youth prospects.
Plus fringe players like Ryan Mason and Tom Carroll.
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A friendly against Inter Milan in Oslo, Norway was the first and only time that Janssen could play alongside the likes of Christian Eriksen, Érik Lamela, Dele Alli and Harry Kane in attack.
But that was enough for the Dutch striker, as Tottenham drew level three minutes after he was introduced into the game.
With the game even at one-all, Vincent Janssen was close to putting the match away with his first-ever Premier League goal.
That is until Maarten Stekelenburg, who was having a huge game, made another great save to end Spurs’ last great chance to win.
Here’s Janssen reliving the moment that could have seen him mark his Premier League debut in style: “Yeah it was a corner kick,” Vincent Janssen explains.
“It was coming to Danny [Rose] and he shot it and I was…”
“Yeah, I got the ball at my feet, I was turning and then yeah, I was shooting into the far corner.”
“But at the end, I think it was an amazing save. Yeah that’s what happened.”
But did he think he scored the game-winning goal after he kicked the ball? Because it was close.
“Yeah. Yeah, I think it was a goal.”
Maarten Stekelenburg who had a huge game only conceded one goal. If he didn’t stop Janssen’s shot, Everton would have lost the match.
Next: Érik Lamela Felt Tottenham Deserved a Win
As for Vincent Janssen’s debut, what did he think of the Premier League?
“I can’t wait to play again.”
“It was fantastic, our fans were fantastic and it’s amazing to play here.”
“You can’t compare it to Holland, the fans are so intense and so close to the pitch. They did well for us, they supported us and that helped us.”
“I’m ready for everything.”
It’s obvious that he wants to continue playing, and next week could be his first-ever start in the Premier League if Mauricio Pochettino liked what he did yesterday. Which he did.