The last time Vincent Janssen scored 20 goals in a single campaign, he celebrated winning the Eredivisie’s Golden Boot by joining a Tottenham Hotspur side who, under Mauricio Pochettino, had finished third in the Premier League table that previous season.
It’s fair to say a lot has changed, both for Janssen and Spurs, since the heady days of 2016.
But while Tottenham find themselves back at square one, another new manager on his way and another new era set to begin, Janssen acts as living proof that old glories can be recaptured.
Former Tottenham striker Vincent Janssen in remarkable form
OK, the Belgian Jupiler League is not the English Premier League. But, after flopping at Spurs, and after failing to live up to lofty expectations at Fenerbahce in Turkey and Monterrey in Mexico, it’s safe to assume few were expecting such a return to form for a man many would have deemed a ‘busted flush’ only a few months ago.
Across all competitions, Janssen has 19 goals for Royal Antwerp. He is likely to break the 20-goal barrier for the first-time in seven years before the season is done. Add a further six assists to his tally, and you can see how the now-28-year-old Janssen has taken on the role as Antwerp’s talismanic as well as their top scorer.
An almost Harry Kane-like presence at a side dreaming of becoming the champions of Belgium for the first time since 1957.
‘I’m glad Vincent is with us’
“Vincent Janssen is really the man who it’s all about there,” reporter Sjoerd Mossou tells Voetbalpraat. “He is very popular. They really think he is a great striker for the Belgian league.”
“Vincent is an unnatural striker,” adds Royal Antwerp coach – and former Dutch international – Mark van Bommel, via Het Nieuwsblad .
“He can hold up a ball, pass, and shoot with left and right. He heads reasonably well, and he’s strong in duels. I’m glad Vincent is playing with us.”
Janssen still has a shot of securing the second Golden Boot of his career too – and his first since those AZ Alkmaar days – sitting just four shy of Gent’s Hugo Cuypers.
For a man who looked to have nowhere to go after scoring just three times in 29 games in Mexico just last season, this has been some turnaround.
Tottenham could do worse than to take inspiration from Janssen as they plan their own revival.
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