Eriksen: Grafter Janssen perfect partner for Kane

You have to be a big talent to oust Harry Kane from the number nine role, but Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen believes he and summer signing Vincent Janssen have struck up what could prove to be a deadly partnership at White Hart Lane.

The 22-year-old Dutchman, a summer signing from AZ Alkmaar, started his first game for Spurs against Crystal Palace at the weekend – with star striker Kane dropping into a less familiar number ten position.

Janssen won the Johan Cruyff Trophy last term, the Dutch ‘Talent of the Year’ award, and showed glimpses of his ability on his debut with Wayne Hennessey denying him in the first half with a double save.

He also put a one-on-one chance just wide after the break before Victor Wanyama head home an 82nd-minute winner, but with Kane also in a much freer role, Eriksen insists Janssen is tailor-made for Spurs.

“Harry didn’t play like a proper striker – this time, at least, it was like one holding and one big striker,” he said.

(Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)

“Vincent took some big hits for the team with all the hustle and bustle up front which I think made it a bit easier for Harry because normally it’s him that’s doing all the battling.

“I think there was a good connection between them and especially with Vincent, he’s something different – even though he’s from Holland, he’s proper English! He loves to tackle, he loves to battle and he loves to play football.

“Of course it’s the beginning for him, he wants to show everyone that he can play football and he’s done that.

“He’s a really good guy and a really big professional who is doing everything he can to improve every day.

“He wants to show off his qualities. We saw that on Saturday with the battling and keeping hold of the ball which sometimes we need. He did that very well.”