Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that summer signing Vincent Janssen is struggling but has assured the striker Tottenham will ensure he develops in the coming weeks.
Janssen, a £20million summer buy from AZ Alkmaar, was handed a first start since mid-November in Tottenham’s 2-0 FA Cup third round win over Aston Villa but did little to make the most of the rare opportunity, lacking sharpness and urgency in forward areas.
The 22-year-old was withdrawn on the hour, after which both of Tottenham’s goals arrived, and Janssen remains without a goal from open play since his move to the Premier League.
With the striker having made 23 appearances Pochettino could not deny that Janssen’s early Tottenham career had not gone as he hoped but assured the Dutch international that he would be given time to adapt.
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"It's true that he's struggling but it's difficult," said Pochettino.
"If you look at the game against Chelsea both strikers struggled in the first half. When you don't have space it's difficult.
"He's young, from a different league, he needs to adapt, work hard and not be frustrated. We push our players a lot and we will push him to the level we need."
Others have not been so supportive of Janssen as he battles to make the grade at White Hart Lane, with former Spurs striker Gary Lineker labelling Tottenham’s No.9 a “poor man’s Roberto Soldado” in reference to the Spaniard’s famous struggles in England after his big-money move.
