After missing out on the Premier League title to Leicester City last season, Mauricio Pochettino’s side finds themselves in a similar position this season with Chelsea running away with the title. Spurs now have 14 games left to overcome the 9 point deficit at the top of the pile. The Argentine manager made a few signings in the summer but it hasn’t been a total success.
While some players have fared well and some have struggled, a certain Dutch forward named Vincent Janssen, who arrived at White Hart Lane with a lot of expectations, has failed to impress his manager. Having won the coveted Johan Cryuff Trophy, the Dutch ‘talent of the year’ award for 2016, Janssen was expected to lift Spurs to the next level this season but he has failed to challenge the first choice hit-man Harry Kane for a starting spot in the Spurs XI.
However, his lack of form does not seem to concern a couple of clubs from Europe, who are ready to splash the cash on the star come summer. German outfit VLF Wolfsburg and Turkish side Galatasaray are interested in his signature this summer and Pochettino will now have to decide between giving Janssen another season, or cash in on him before finding a replacement.
At just 22, Janssen is easily one of the most exciting young players in world football at the moment. But he has failed to adopt the rigours of the English league. He just has 5 starts in the Premier League where he has managed a goal and an assist, which might slightly disappoint the fans. However, his Cup appearances have been more fruitful, but the fact that all of his goals have come from the penalty spot isn’t a convincing thing to tell.
Known for his deadly finishing and a keen eye for the goal, Janssen is a player who fits in well at the White Hart Lane and ticks almost every box that Pochettino has on his pad before signing a new player.
The Premier League is a tough competition and it is not reasonable to judge Janssen after just one season in the country. Pochettino has a unique style of play that needs his players to play high up the field and though Janssen is not a part of that lot, he has enough time to reach that level in the future. Pochettino might be tempted to replace him with a more prolific and proven goal scorer of his age, but Janssen is a player for the future and it would be wise for Spurs to stick with him for another season.
Harry Kane will remain their first choice striker without any slightest of doubt, but Janssen can act as a plan-B when needed and can also deputise in cup games. Pochettino has also used Heung-Min Son in this position and though he might want to add another striker to the squad, it need not be at the expense of the Dutch international. Janssen will surely get some playing time to prove himself and if he does fail to do so, Pochettino might be tempted to sell him. However, with his amazing potential and young age, Janssen will hopefully get better with more time on the pitch.