Pochettino hands Janssen another chance

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says Vincent Janssen will be given a chance to prove himself between now and the end of the season.

The 24-year-old was initially told he did not have a future at the club, and spent part of last season on loan in Turkey with Fenerbahce, where he scored five goals.

Janssen has been training with the Under-23s in recent weeks and looked to be heading for the exit door. However the January transfer deadline has passed and the striker has remained at the club, with Pochettino ready to welcome him in from the cold.

“I think he’s going to be on the list, he’s going to be involved,” Pochettino told reporters.

“That is my decision, my decision that he’s going to be involved with the first team from today and he’s going to be like another player, involved with the chances if he deserves it to be in the squad or to play.

“For different reasons – but the principle reason was a sporting decision – one year ago we decided to send him on loan and then in the last year he didn’t play because he was injured.

“But I think after [it was about] trying to find solutions because the player wanted to leave the club and the club wanted to provide for him another place to play football.

But in the end when that was impossible I think the most important thing now is to treat him [properly] because he’s a person and my responsibility is to manage people, not chairs or sofas or furniture.”