Mauricio Pochettino has likened Vincent Janssen’s struggles in front of goal for Tottenham to Harry Kane’s drought last season.
The £17million summer signing has yet to score in open play, with his only strike coming from the penalty spot in the EFL Cup win over Gillingham.
Janssen has looked tidy in spells but cannot find the net in the Premier League. In the midweek draw at Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, the Dutchman hit the crossbar and had a goal ruled out for offside.
Kane ended last season with 28 goals in all competitions but managed only one in his opening 13 matches.
Pochettino said: “Janssen has been unlucky at times. Similar things happened with Harry. We need to give young players time. We and he would be happier if he was scoring but it’s a normal process.
“It is not a problem. He is a good player. He was the top scorer in the Dutch league last season and we have no doubt about his qualities. He is disappointed that he does not score, as all strikers would be.
“If a striker plays well but does not score, he feels incomplete. Something is missing for him. Vincent wants to show he can score but maybe he puts a lot of pressure on himself, thinking ‘I need to score’.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Tottenham
“We need to make sure he is calm, tell him not to worry and to keep working hard, to ensure he will score.
“He brings different characteristics to our team but we are happy with his behaviour and his professionalism. Players who come from different countries always need time.”
