One thing that is synonymous with Dutch football is top class attackers. They never seem to go without a legendary goal-scorer, from Faas Wilkes and Johan Cruyff to Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Kluivert and more recently Robin van Persie and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Yet with the latter two both on the wrong side of 30 and once promising youngsters like Luuk De Jong and Bas Dost failing to develop as much as hoped, a hole has been created in the Netherlands national team.
During the Euro 2016 qualifying games in which they failed to qualify, the Netherlands scored 17 times in ten games. However, six of those goals came in a blowout 6-0 victory over Latvia. Scratch that result and it’s only 11 goals in nine matches, not nearly enough to warrant a spot in the upcoming tournament. Thankfully for Dutch fans, there is a young man who can fill that goal-scoring role: Vincent Janssen.
The powerful 5’11 striker for AZ Alkmaar has already been called “the next Ruud van Nistelrooy.” This is high praise for a young man who was playing in the Eerste Divisie, Holland’s second division last year. In 33 appearances this season, the 21-year-old striker has scored 19 times and is joint-top scorer in the Eredivisie alongside Luuk De Jong.
Janssen was a stand-out player for the Feyenoord U-19 squad which won the national title in 2013. The following season, his form in front of goal fell away and he was subsequently released from the team—a decision they are quickly regretting.
He was destined for a life of obscurity until a small club in division two named Almere City signed him. Janssen was only 18 at the time and revelled at the new challenge. In the Eerste Divisie he rediscovered his goal-scoring prowess, finding the back of the net 29 times in only 69 matches.
This caught the attention of the Netherlands U-21 Head Coach Fred Grim and the KNVB who gave him ten caps with the U-21 squad. Janssen scored eight goals for the Young Oranje, a notable return for a second division player. The sweepstakes for the young man’s signature was on. A number of clubs from all over Europe were vying for his services. He opted to stay in the Netherlands and moved to AZ Alkmaar for the 2015-2016 season.
Janssen has blossomed this season at AZ Alkmaar. He’s scored 19 goals, leading AZ to a surprising fourth place with 46 points in 27 games. This has put his team only three points behind his former youth club, Feyenoord. What makes him an enticing prospect is not only his finishing, which is world class, but his outstanding hold-up play.
Janssen draws 2.5 fouls a match: this has been a key to the team this season as he is able to relieve stress when opposing teams have AZ pinned down in their own half. He also has a keen eye for making key passes with 1.8 per match.
His prowess both in front of goal and in his elite hold up play have now drawn the attention of Danny Blind and the Dutch national team. They have included him into the first team squad for their upcoming matches against France and England where he will hope to get his international debut. He has also gained the attention of Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven and Ajax.
His physical presence and style of play is perfect for leagues like England. Don’t be surprised to see him gracing Premier League grounds in a year or two. The rumour mill has already got going and teams like Southampton have been linked with him.
Jumping on the bandwagon is always dangerous with young players, especially ones as unproven as Janssen. Nonetheless, it is hard not to be impressed with his meteoric rise within the Dutch league and his limitless potential.
