Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has insisted that striker Vincent Janssen needs to “show more” to prove himself at the club.
The Dutch international has struggled since his move to White Hart Lane last summer, as he has yet to score from open play, has started just one game in the last three months and was left out entirely for the Europa League clash with Gent on Thursday night.
In turn, his confidence is undoubtedly at an all-time low currently, with Pochettino not even confirming that he would be on the bench for this weekend’s FA Cup clash with Fulham.
“Maybe, maybe,” Pochettino said, as reported by Sky Sports. “Against Gent he was out of the squad. He needs to show more and we’ll see.
“Maybe he will have the opportunity to be on the bench or play [from the start]. We cannot be sure if he will be in the squad, on the bench or start from the beginning.”
Given that Spurs are looking to end their two-game losing streak after disappointing defeats to Liverpool and Gent this past week, Pochettino will understandably be a little apprehensive to rotate too much and give his fringe players a chance this Sunday.
Janssen cost Spurs £17.5m to sign from AZ Alkmaar last summer, as noted in the report, but he has failed to have the desired impact in terms of lessening the burden on Harry Kane to score goals to keep Tottenham in contention for multiple trophies.
While it sounds as though Pochettino still has faith in him, it remains to be seen how long his patience lasts for before considering making a change to his squad.