After Vincent Janssen completed his €22 million move to White Hart Lane, Sam May takes a look at what Spurs can expect from their new Dutch striker.
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Mauricio Pochettino moved swiftly to secure the services of the “new Ruud van Nistelrooy” as he looks to strengthen his attack for the upcoming season. The move could also ease the burden on Harry Kane, who was the club’s only true striker last season.
The deal signals the remarkable rise of the former Feyenoord youth player, who only last year swapped second division Almere City for AZ Alkmaar. Hitting 21 goals in the space of 17 league games last campaign is why the Londoners have paid the price for this highly talented goal machine. He also scored a penalty on his International debut back in March against in England, his first of three so far for his country, so confidence is not an issue.
Last season he won the Johan Cruyff Trophy for the Eredivisie’s young player of the year, which has previously been won by Tottenham players Rafael van der Vaart and Christian Eriksen.
Janssen has it all. The Netherlands international has sharp movement, great awareness, and deadly finishing, but won’t be used as a target man. He is more likely to play alongside Kane perhaps, working off the striker and using his movement to link up with Christian Eriksen or Dele Alli.
Having great finishing ability, he is being likened to both van Persie and Ruud van Nistelrooy. His step up to the Eredivisie didn’t faze the 22-year-old. In fact, he embraced it, and this has developed him into a fully-fledged international and, now a Premier League player.
Janssen comes to Spurs expecting to start. He is young and confident, can score goals and is a key player at international level – Tottenham will have to manage his expectations, and that won’t be easy if he is warming the bench.
One thing’s for sure, Pochettino will develop him further, but competition for places up front, coupled with his desire to be first pick, may cause a little unrest. If he starts, and continues where he left off last season, Spurs will have got themselves a new superstar.
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