Eric Dier has defender Tottenham team-mate Vincent Janssen.
Liverpool’s Ovie Ejaria in action with Tottenham’s Eric Dier
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eric Dier has told The Guardian that he thinks Vincent Janssen deserves time to adjust to life in England.
Spurs lost 2-1 at Liverpool in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night, with a goal in each half from Daniel Sturridge putting the Reds 2-0 up at Anfield before Vincent Janssen struck home a penalty for Tottenham.
Tottenham’s Vincent Janssen looks dejected
That was just the second goal in a Spurs shirt for Janssen, and both have come from the penalty spot in EFL Cup ties as the Dutchman attempts to kickstart his debut season at White Hart Lane.
The Dutch international striker, 22, hit 31 goals in all competitions for AZ Alkmaar, but is without a Premier League goal in more than 400 minutes of action following his summer move to North London.
It’s worth noting that Janssen also made a slow start to life at AZ before eventually becoming a goal machine, but few Spurs fans can see that happening right now given Janssen’s wait for a goal from open play.
Tottenham’s Vincent Janssen scores from the penalty spot against Liverpool
Janssen has been criticised by some supporters and pundits for his performances so far, but team-mate Eric Dier has defended him in an interview with The Guardian.
Dier, who joined Spurs from Sporting Lisbon in 2014, noted just how difficult it is to adapt to a different country, and suggested that people need to understand that he’s adjusting to a new culture on his own having moved by himself.
Dier added that he doesn’t think Janssen’s performances have been bad, and believes he showed his qualities again in the game against Liverpool on Tuesday evening.
Liverpool’s Marko Grujic in action with Tottenham’s Eric Dier
“I can speak from experience, when you come from a different country – he’s come from Holland – it’s not easy,” said Dier. “People at home may not understand, but he’s come from a different country, a different culture. He moved here by himself. He’s got to get used to a whole new way of training, playing, a whole new way of life. These things take time. It’s only natural he will keep on improving.”
“I don’t think he’s been bad. He has great qualities and he’s shown them again [against Liverpool]. It’s more a case of the team being better in the final third than one player,” he added.
What have you made of Janssen’s performances for Tottenham so far?
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