Goal Machine, Spurs Flop and Van Gaal Joker: Who is Vincent Janssen’s Antwerp Origin? † Jupiler Pro League

The Dutch enclave is expanding in The Great Old: Marc Overmars and Marc van Bommel have their new striker together with Vincent Janssen. After three years spent in the forgotten pit of Monterrey, Mexico, the forward – who once had great prospects – is back in Europe.

Jansen advanced in 2013 at Almere City in the Dutch second division and after two fruitful seasons he moved to Arizona John van den Broom to establish himself in the Eredivisie. successfully.

“It’s been a great season for the first time,” analyst Yuri Mulder recalls. “He scored close to 30 goals that year and really hit them from all angles.”

“Janssen is an excellent finisher with a dry, flat kick,” explains Mulder. “He has a really good shot and he follows the ball, but above all he works hard: he’s always ‘busy’ and always makes himself available. He lacks the pace that can be played in depth, but he puts himself in a good position and is smart.”

In the year of the farmer from Arizona, Jansen crowned himself the Dutch league’s top scorer at the age of 21, and the way was open for even greater competition. In the end, it was Spurs who snatched the Dutchman from AZ Alkmaar for around €20m, but things quickly got worse.

“I remember how in one of his first matches with Tottenham he had a great chance in front of goal. He made a small mistake, but he kicked the goalkeeper. When a ball like that enters, this adventure begins with confidence, but he missed that luck in Tottenham.”

Jansen had to compete against Harry Kane in London, an unequal battle. His passage in England was unsuccessful. In two and a half seasons, he scored two goals in 31 league matches. The Turkish Fenerbahce loan also did not help.

At the age of 25, he left Europe to try his football luck in Mexico, completely away from the limelight. With Monterrey, he became Mexico’s national champion in 2020, and a year later won the South American Champions League.

And now, come back to Europe in Antwerp. “Antwerp wants to play at the half of the opponent that suits him,” Mulder says. “Overmars and Van Bommel have been fantastic without a doubt. For Janssen it’s an excellent opportunity to relaunch his career in Europe.”

“Because make no mistake: he was also good in Mexico. It’s all out of sight for us, but big money is being won there as a footballer in a fun competition. But it’s simple: he’ll just have to deliver, so he scores. He has quality. Already “.

Janssen has also recently been raised again with the national team. Louis van Gaal dropped the striker at the base against Wales, and Janssen did not disappoint. “It’s good about his World Cup selection that he’s now playing a little bit more in plain sight, because we don’t have that many strikers in Orange,” Mulder says.

“Although Van Gaal usually prefers Ajax striker Robbie over Janssen. But you never know. If he starts well in Antwerp, he will probably go to the World Cup.”