OPINION
Tottenham finished the game against Brighton with both Fernando Llorente and Vincent Janssen on the pitch. That might be a surprise in itself for a team that are in the semi-finals of the Champions League. But, Janssen actually appearing in a Spurs shirt again was the real headline last night – the striker hasn’t played for Pochettino since August 2017.
He didn’t score but he did enough in 11 minutes to suggest that he could still play a part for Tottenham in the season run-in, with Harry Kane likely out with injury for the rest of the season.
And many Tottenham fans saw enough last night to convince them that Janssen should be starting ahead of Fernando Llorente. Llorente offered very little against a disciplined Brighton defence, and many fans claimed that Janssen did more in 11 minutes than his strike partner had done all game.
It’s hard to argue with that. Janssen offered movement where Llorente was largely static. We’re not sure what happened between Janssen and Pochettino, but the rift has seemingly been healed.
And some Spurs fans called for their manager to start Janssen against West Ham, with Llorente on the bench. However, they might be frustrated in their demands, with Pochettino just saying “maybe” when asked if Janssen would get more game-time in the future.
Here are the calls for Janssen over Llorente from Spurs fans after last night’s game:
To be fair Janssen did more when he came on then Llorente did the whole game. It's good to see! Hopefully he'll get more minutes!
— ????????????? ?? ? (@llewi01) April 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/fraubele/status/1120797341089447936
I thought it was better when Janssen came on, simply because of his better movement, came short and offered an option and tracked back and pressed, all the things Llorente didn’t do all game
— InsideOut Guy (@InsOutGuy) April 23, 2019
Can we play Janssen instead of Llorente please, came on and had an impact, didn’t stop running and actually made some movement, more than that rooted tree
— Wils. (@UdogieDog) April 23, 2019
I really hope Janssen gets a start over Llorente next game. Llorente impact sub to change shape for a push. Still hope he is the next Sissoko.
— Fabian Singh (@fabijovi) April 23, 2019
Janssen's tackle was more than Llorente did in the whole 90
— Kees Howard (@Kees04) April 23, 2019
Also, I'm gonna say it…Janssen over Llorente all day. Fight me.
— Charlotte ? (@Lottiex95x) April 23, 2019
Llorente is horrendous in those kind of games. Janssen immediately provided a lot more movement. Should start v West Ham. #TOTBHA
— Dom (@DomB116) April 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/8winks/status/1120817225877872640
Llorente is useless. A waste of a position. Doesn’t deserve to play for us in any game, when we have Janssen on the bench.
— Adam (@Adam_Oliver1) April 23, 2019
Tell you what Vincent Janssen’s little cameo at the end certainly gave us some impetus and probably did more than Llorente managed all night..
With poch resting a few for Ajax next week, could we see Janssen getting a start ?
He did look fit !
— Ledley is my Hero (@spursNutN17) April 23, 2019
When Eriksen hit that shot, Janssen was already heading towards goal whereas Llorente was still ball watching.
— Neil (@neil1138) April 23, 2019
Janssen has so much more movement that Llorente. He made so many runs in 10 mins that Llorente simply did not even bother to do all game.
— Hamid (@HamidTHFC) April 23, 2019
I think Janssen actually changed the game , he was running into channels , something that llorente does not do , i would start him Saturday against the pikeys #coys #thfc
— Neil (@monkey1959neil) April 23, 2019