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Jamie Redknapp claims Vincent Janssen didn’t step up when needed, feels sorry for him

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp (Reuters)
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Jamie Redknapp has commented on Tottenham striker Vincent Janssen.

Tottenham's Vincent Janssen celebrates scoring their fourth goalTottenham’s Vincent Janssen celebrates scoring

Pundit Jamie Redknapp has told the Daily Mail that he feels sorry for Tottenham striker Vincent Janssen – but he simply didn’t step up when needed this season.

Spurs ended their Premier League campaign with a 7-1 thrashing of Hull City, with star striker Harry Kane bagging yet another hat-trick, whilst Dele Alli, Victor Wanyama, Ben Davies and Toby Alderweireld also got on the scoresheet.

Tottenham finished up in second place in the Premier League table, and will now hope to build with a strong transfer window, having endured a mixed time in last summer’s market.

Wanyama has been a key addition, but Moussa Sissoko has been an expensive flop, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou has barely featured, and striker Vincent Janssen hasn’t lived up to expectations.

The 22-year-old centre forward hit 31 goals in 49 games for AZ Alkmaar in his native Netherlands last season, prompting Spurs to spend £18.6million (Sky Sports) on luring him to North London.

Tottenham's Vincent Janssen looks dejected after missing a chance to scoreTottenham’s Vincent Janssen looks dejected after missing a chance to score

However, Janssen has struggled to find the net, registering just two Premier League goals, and only one of those came from open play, as he ended the campaign with six goals to his name in all competitions, four from the penalty spot.

Mostly used as a substitute, Janssen hasn’t had the desired impact for Spurs, but he also couldn’t thrive in Harry Kane’s absence, with manager Mauricio Pochettino even preferring to use Son Heung-min as a striker instead.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie RedknappSky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp

Now, ex-Spurs midfielder and current pundit Jamie Redknapp has told the Daily Mail that he does feel sorry for Janssen with regards to so clearly being second fiddle behind Kane, but the fact is that he simply didn’t step up when Tottenham needed him – whereas Son did, which will raise questions over the Dutchman’s role next season.

“I feel sorry for him having to play second fiddle to Harry Kane but the Dutchman did not step up when called upon — unlike his team-mate Son Heung-min, who scored 21 goals in all competitions,” said Redknapp.

What did you think of Janssen’s debut season with Tottenham?