Vincent Janssen Expresses His Thanks to Tottenham Fans
Even though Vincent Janssen has endured a tough season scoring-wise and playing time-wise, the Dutchman remains positive throughout his first year as a Tottenham player.
Since signing from AZ Alkmaar, Vincent Janssen has found consistent playing as a starter or coming off of the bench for Tottenham.
This lasted for nearly four months until an ankle injury sidelined the Dutch international. A streak of 20 straight appearances in all competitions was snapped.
Since returning from injury, Janssen has only made four appearances, seeing his opportunities be drastically reduced.
Minimal playing for the Dutchman could be tied down to a lack of goals not coming in consistently after Spurs paid £17 million, though there is no denying the 22-year-old’s work rate.
Related Story: Tottenham's Pochettino to Give Janssen More Time to Settle In
His hustle and drive to continually improve and give back to Mauricio Pochettino and the Tottenham faithful for sticking by him makes him a fan favorite even if he can only score from the penalty spot.
And to show his appreciation, Janssen expressed his thanks following Spurs’ 4-3 win over Wycombe on Saturday.
“If you see how they are standing behind the team, behind me, that is really important for a football player,” Janssen said.
“I really like our supporters and I want to say thank you to everyone who was here today [on Saturday], who helped us and who kept faith in the game. I really appreciate it.”
***
Coming off of a goal and an assist over the weekend, Vincent Janssen is doing his best to remain upbeat and positive despite a fluctuating role in Mauricio Pochettino’s team.
The fact that Janssen has been given playing time is a good sign as he has a future with this team. The only issue is when will he actually start alongside Harry Kane in a potential two-striker system once again?
Even with four goals and three assists to his name so far this season in all competitions, Janssen still finds himself watching from the bench.
Harry Kane is the unquestioned starter but it’s possible to play with two strikers to bring in another dimension to this Spurs offense.
Janssen’s role as a target man could benefit a lineup that already boasts an impressive collection of goalscoring threats in Kane, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Érik Lamela.
That said, the 3-4-2-1 formation has worked wonders since December so there’s no reason to change things up yet again.
Of course Mauricio Pochettino has shown a flexibility to shake things up based on the opponent, so there is a possibility that Janssen starts certain games. Just maybe not in the Premier League.
***
More from Hotspur HQ
- Storybook ending after difficult period for Tottenahm’s Richarlison
- Tottenham comeback showcased invaluable intangible Ange has cultivated
- Tottenham player ratings in 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield United
- Tottenham projected starting 11 for Sheffield United
- Tottenham’s Richarlison says he’s going to seek psychological help
During Vincent Janssen’s debut season, while he hasn’t contributed much, all of the hard work that he has done when given playing time will eventually pay off in a much larger role down the road.
Janssen is just in a difficult situation as he can’t start when Harry Kane’s healthy but he is also a player who can bring in some much needed energy upon entering the match from the bench.
The Dutch striker is undergoing a transition from starter to backup player but has handled the situation well by remaining positive throughout it all.
“That’s the most important thing, to be positive and make sure that when you get an opportunity, you’ll be there to take it,” Vincent Janssen added.
“It’s the first time [to have had to fight for a place in the squad] for me, it’s new, but that’s the way football works. Sometimes you have these situations and you have to go on, keep working hard and take the opportunities you get.”
“I’m working hard and when a chance is there I want to make the most of it. I was happy I got the opportunity to score today.”
Next: A More Familiar Tottenham to Take on Sunderland
A fair criticism in Vincent Janssen’s game is that he apparently can’t score goals in open play, that he is only able to find the back of the net via penalties.
This is indeed a fact, though penalties are still considered goals at the end of the day.
For one reason or another, Janssen’s finishing is still a work in progress as well as being in the right position to receive that final ball to score, but he continues to work hard. So things should hopefully fall into place sooner or later.
It is his first year in a new system so patience is highly advised.