Last week, Tottenham confirmed the signing of AZ Alkmaar striker Vincent Janssen for a reported fee of £17m. The Dutch international is the club’s second summer signing following the arrival of midfielder Victor Wanyama from Southampton last month.
Having penned a four-year contract at White Hart Lane, the 22-year-old is optimistic of quickly securing a spot in Mauricio Pochettino’s first-team plans.
“Harry Kane? People can say what they want but I’m not afraid of anybody…He is a great striker but we will see how it goes. We can complement each other, I think I can learn a lot from him. I hope to play a lot, to score a lot of goals and to win prizes. I have a great chance to develop myself here. I can train with a young, talented group with very good staff and I’m ready to develop myself. I can grow with this group, it’s a very talented group and next season we’re in the Champions League as well, so that’s very nice.”
The History
Born in Heesch, Netherlands, Janssen started out his youth career at SV TOP and FC Oss before moving to NEC Nijmegen at the age of 12. The forward then signed up with Dutch giants Feyenoord in 2009 and spent four years at the club’s academy, playing a part in the U19s national title-winning side in 2013.
Janssen was subsequently released at the end of the 2012/13 campaign, though, and moved to Eerste Divisie side Almere City. In two seasons for the club, Janssen made 74 appearances in all competitions, scoring 32 goals and registering 12 assists, before being acquired by AZ last summer.
The five foot 11 frontman started slowly as he stepped up to the Eredivisie, failing to score in his first 367 minutes of league action, but enjoyed a sensational second half of the campaign, ending with 32 goals and seven assists from 49 appearances in all competitions.
Janssen represented his country at all youth levels from Under 15 upwards and most notably at Under 21 level, scoring eight goals in 10 matches. Handed a senior debut against France in March, he went on to bag a goal and assist in a 2-1 win against England four days later – so far, Janssen has three goals in five appearances in his fledgling international career.
The Prospects
While Tottenham enjoyed a hugely successful season last term, the one glaring weakness in their squad was a lack of cover for Harry Kane. Pochettino has wasted little time in addressing that issue, and speaking about his latest addition, believes Janssen has both the physical and mental characteristics to make an impact in the Premier League:
“Vincent is still very young and his potential is massive to develop. He has a profile that fits perfectly for us. He has quality in the box and he’s a striker that likes to fight and work for the team. That is perfect for us. We are very happy and excited that he has joined us. His human profile is perfect for the team, we always care about that. In general, he’s a player that fits the team.”
Pochettino is a firm believer in the 4-2-3-1 formation, so initially at least, it would be somewhat surprising if Janssen forces his way into the Argentine’s first-choice starting XI. The Dutch international scored all of his goals last season from inside the box, highlighting the fact he’s very much a traditional “number 9,” with predatory instincts that are particularly impressive for such a young player.
Last season, Janssen averaged a shot every 18.1 minutes, which was a better rate than any forward in the Premier League last term and superior to Kane’s 22.1 minutes. While predominantly left footed, Janssen is a composed finisher with either foot, and has clever movement in the box. Although he’s not blessed with searing pace, the former AZ front man has a good awareness, and is capable of holding off defenders with his strength.
Kane’s packed schedule over the last 18 months is also a factor. The only forward to start all 38 league matches last season, the England international – who has been named in the first XI in 56 successive top-flight matches – has also spent his last two summers representing England in the 2015 UEFA European Under 21 Championship and at Euro 2016.
Indeed, although Kane ultimately ended the previous Premier League campaign as top scorer with 25 goals, he struggled at the start of the season and scored just once in the opening nine Gameweeks, suggesting he suffered some fatigue from his international exertions. Initially then, we may see Pochettino using Janssen to help ease the burden, perhaps as a substitute late in matches to help the Dutchman settle into life in the Premier League.
There has often been a suggestion that Kane could drop back into a slightly deeper role given his strong ability to link the play, though, so should Janssen find his feet quickly, it’s something that can’t be fully ruled out. That would, of course, dent Dele Alli’s Fantasy prospects, with the former MK Dons player perhaps having to operate in a slightly deeper midfield spot if Kane moved into the support role.
It’s perhaps unlikely but such a scenario would certainly boost the appeal of Christian Eriksen, who finished fifth last season among midfielders who made 15 or more appearances for total shots (one every 30.7 minutes), while the Dane was fourth among midfielders for chances created (one every 26.9 minutes).
Given Janssen’s goal scoring record last term, albeit from his only season of top-flight football, it’s likely the Dutch international will be handed a price tag of around 9.0 to 9.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL). With plenty of uncertainty surrounding his initial pitch time, few Fantasy managers are expected to invest in the striker from the off. Nonetheless, his addition to the Spurs squad allows Pochettino to manage Kane’s minutes a little, particularly when the Champions League group stages start in September.
Handed a schedule that sees them face just two of last term’s top eight in the first nine Gameweeks, Tottenham’s attack looks likely to catch the eye of FPL managers from the offset. Kane remains the most appealing pick, though Eriksen and Alli – price dependent – will also be in the mix when we assemble our 15-man squads.
For now, Janssen is best monitoring, then, though Pochettino’s team sheets through the final pre-season friendlies should hopefully lend some insight into his thinking. If the new boy can quickly acclimatise and force his way into the first XI, he could be another one to consider as a route into an attack that produced more attempts on goal than any other over the 2015/16 campaign.
