From Spurs Flop to Isak-Level: The Janssen Turnaround

Tottenham Hotspur has faced a challenging 2024/25 season, with injuries significantly hindering manager Ange Postecoglou’s progress.

Currently positioned 13th in the Premier League, their chances for European qualification next season are slim with only ten games remaining.

Despite these difficulties, Tottenham has scored 55 goals in 28 matches, second only to Liverpool, highlighting that defensive vulnerabilities are the main obstacle.

Ange Postecoglou with Tottenham Hotspur

Brennan Johnson and James Maddison are joint top scorers for the club in the league with nine goals each, illustrating a broad distribution of goals within the team.

Dominic Solanke, despite a high-profile summer transfer, has struggled with injuries, preventing him from reaching the performance levels of certain other players in England.

Alexander Isak’s Performance for Newcastle in 2024/25

Alexander Isak, the Swedish international who joined Newcastle United in 2022, has impressed in England, scoring 57 goals in 99 appearances.

The 25-year-old has attracted interest from Arsenal due to his current form, having scored 22 goals across all competitions this season.

Alexander Isak arriving at St James’ Park

Isak has been particularly effective against Postecoglou’s Tottenham, scoring six goals against them since his transfer – more than against any other team in his career.

Despite Tottenham’s decent scoring record, they have missed a consistent, clinical striker, especially with Solanke’s injury issues, leading fans to wish for a player of Isak’s caliber.

Vincent Janssen: The Former Spurs “Flop” Compared to Isak

Many players with potential have joined Spurs but failed to live up to expectations, including Erik Lamela.

Erik Lamela during his time at Tottenham

Lamela, an Argentine player, was signed for £30m after Gareth Bale’s departure, intended to fill the gap but only scored 37 goals in eight years at the club.

Vincent Janssen, another striker, arrived with high hopes, costing £17m from AZ Alkmaar in 2016.

However, his time at Tottenham was disappointing. He scored only six goals in his first season and made just one appearance in the following season before being loaned to Fenerbahçe. His performances were described as “dreadful”.

Janssen never recovered his form in England, and Daniel Levy sold him for £6m to Monterrey in Mexico, hoping to revive his career.

Vincent Janssen in a Tottenham Hotspur kit

Now in 2025, Janssen plays for Royal Antwerp in Belgium and has scored 50 goals in 127 games over three years. Statistical analysis suggests his playing style is similar to Isak’s.

While Isak has scored more goals this season, Janssen matches him in shot accuracy, highlighting his own clinical finishing.

Janssen also surpasses Isak in completed take-ons and aerial duels won, providing an all-around forward play that Tottenham has missed with Solanke’s absence.

Despite a disastrous spell at Tottenham where he failed to meet expectations, Janssen has rediscovered his form, showing his former club what they lost by letting him go after three years.