The under-fire Spurs signing admits he sought the approval of the former Dutch hero.
Tottenham Hotspur summer signing Vincent Janssen has told Dutch magazine Helden that he consulted Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy before deciding on making the move to White Hart Lane.
Janssen joined Spurs in the summer transfer window in a £17 million deal from Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar after scoring 31 goals for the club last season.
However, the 22-year-old has struggled since arriving in England, with his only goal so far coming int he 5-0 rout of League Two side Gillingham in the EFL Cup.
Adapting to Premier League football can be difficult for any player coming in from abroad, and players from the Dutch league have often struggled to meet the required physicality and pace.
Janssen still has plenty of time to prove himself, but he has admitted that it was only after he received reassurances from friend and mentor Van Nistelrooy that he was convinced to make the switch.
Janssen told Helden: “I have a special bond with Ruud. I asked him confidentially for advice when the first clubs came forward [for me], what he would recommend and specifically how he viewed a transfer to Spurs
“And also how to conduct a conversation with the club. Let’s put it this way: he did not look negatively on my transfer to Spurs.”
Janssen has a close bond with the former Manchester United striker as a result of the 40-year-old’s role as an assistant manager for the Netherlands national team.
Spurs fans will be hoping that Van Nistelrooy’s endorsement does not come back to haunt them, and that Janssen can start firing on a regular basis sooner rather than later.
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