Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has torn into Tottenham striker Vincent Janssen for his efforts in the club’s win against Brighton on Tuesday night.
The Dutch 24-year-old, who has been an outcast in north London for much of his career at the Lilywhites, made his first Spurs appearance since 2017 off the bench as Christian Eriksen’s long-range effort secured a narrow 1-0 victory versus a dogged Seagulls side.
However, Redknapp was not impressed with what he saw from the hitman’s rare outing and highlighted the lack of quality in depth Spurs have as a big problem for Mauricio Pochettino.
Speaking after the Lilywhites’ victory on Sky Sports (23/04, 21:52): “They have that extra quality, with someone like Christian Eriksen they provide that, because you’re looking at the subs coming on.
“Janssen perhaps didn’t do enough. Where some teams can change it with players off the bench, Tottenham haven’t really got that luxury right now.
Opinion
To see Janssen back in a Tottenham shirt was undoubtedly a shock for the Tottenham faithful but as Redknapp says, Pochettino does not really have much of an option without dipping into the reserves and youth academy. The vast number of games Spurs have played, and still have to play, this season means that certain players need breathers and while Janssen is quite clearly not the manager’s cup of tea up front, it would be a waste to leave him sitting on the sidelines rather than using him in the first team. Redknapp’s criticism is a bit harsh though. The Dutch international did not do much because his teammates who were meant to be providing him with service up front were not delivering either. It was the same situation with Fernando Llorente and instead of singling out the strikers for criticism, you should be looking at the supporting cast of wing backs and midfielders.