Janssen Transition a Godsend for AZ and Netherlands

Every once in a while an individual emerges from relative obscurity. A rags to riches tale. And there's no better contemporary example than Vincent Janssen, a relentless forward with boundless potential, his debut season in a top-flight league has been nothing short of extraordinary. No doubt when signing for AZ last summer from second tier club Almere City – where he managed 32 goals in 74 games – he was assured of his own abilities but even Janssen couldn't have envisaged what has since transpired.

Despite always having "confidence" in himself, 25 league goals (one every 102.84 minutes) after 32 matches is a breathless return for someone who is experiencing his first taste of this level. Of course, it goes without saying, there's a difference when it comes to measuring goals in the Eredivisie compared to Europe's core leagues (notably the "Big 5") – where the intensity and defences are generally more resolute – however it should take nothing away from Janssen's exploits as football is universal.

By intertwining technique and finesse Janssen, who currently leads the Dutch 'golden shoe' race, has steadily embodied the traits of a quintessential 'Dutch number nine', where there is just as much demand in being a good playmaker as finding the back of the net. A former student at Feyenoord's esteemed academy – the one that got away – his seamless transition has been a godsend for AZ and the national team. "Vincent Janssen has given Holland hope again," as Taco van den Velde, chief football analyst of Voetbal International, recently opined.

His remarkable ascent has unfortunately coincided with Dutch football being at its lowest ebb since the early-to-mid 1980s, failure to qualify for this summer's expanded Euros was ignominious, it's clear now the Netherlands need to introduce changes gradually, evolution rather than revolution, such as easing the likes of Janssen, not scarred by recent failure, into the fold. Before you know it they have taken up the baton.

In spite of some arguing "too much, too soon" his form warranted a deserved look plus Oranje were still in rebuilding mode so there was no risk attached. Then again, given the season he's experiencing, what followed shouldn't have surprised anyone. A first start against England at the home of football culminated with a debut goal and assist for the winner (securing a third Dutch victory at Wembley). It was easy to forget less than a year ago he was plying his trade in the Eerste Divisie. You couldn't tell. Danny Blind was more than impressed. "He adapts so quickly. Even at this level. [Janssen] showed no fear and seized his chance".

An added bonus to his inaugural call-up – prior to it he excelled with the Netherlands under-21s racking up six goals in five games this season – was learning from Blind's assistant coaches, the illustrious duo of Marco van Basten and Ruud van Nistelrooy. The experience was enlightening and invaluable as well as incentivising. He'd be lying if he didn't want a similar career path to San Marco and Van Nistelrooy, so he needs to work just as hard if not harder, something you can't accuse him of failing to do.

Janssen's attitude is infectious and like his fellow countryman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, to him the sound of the ball hitting the net is "the elixir of life". Speaking of whom, Janssen's ascent in some ways is akin to Huntelaar's very own a decade ago; both started out as youth players at one of the elite clubs (Feyenoord and PSV) only to be seen as surplus to requirements. They would then construct a reputation for themselves in the second division (with Almere City and AGOVV respectively) before joining a provisional club in the first tier (AZ and Heerenveen) and subsequently turn hype into reality.

As we know simplicity is the hardest thing to achieve, Janssen makes things look simple because of his sharp brain. The plan is to become renowned for scoring in the unlikeliest of situations. Within the last year, albeit not against the stingiest of rearguards, which isn't necessarily his fault, he's began to exude the virtues of a top calibre forward. "Janssen has all the right skills," Fred Grim, former boss at Almere City, says. "He is quick and makes the right movements. Importantly, he is two footed, which makes his moves in the penalty area difficult to predict – he can go right, and he can go left. A lot of strikers can only shoot with one foot, and they are much easier to mark."

Paying attention can take you a long way and Janssen is made of the right stuff as Grim pointedly observes, he "is always willing to learn, very open and dedicated" which makes him "an easy player to coach, because he always listens". Last week at home to PEC Zwolle he conjured up the first 'poker' (four goals in a single game) of his professional career, exhibiting the necessary greediness needed to succeed in his role, it was also the latest in a string of attention-grabbing performances since resuming after the mid-season hiatus.

To add some context before leaving for warm weather training Janssen signed off with six goals across 17 matches. Since ringing in the new year he's been a man-possessed, turning on the afterburners to devastating effect, 19 goals in 15 league appearances – failing to score in only three of those matches (away to NEC and ADO Den Haag plus home against PSV) – in anyone's book is simply phenomenal. It also makes him, as of April 22, the most prolific goalscorer of 2016 anywhere in Europe's major divisions.

Consistency is the bedrock of success as well as retaining a selfless attitude. Though he retains the heart of a striker Janssen is always thinking about his teammates, producing 1.8 chances per game whilst already providing 4 assists.

Key to all of this is his intelligent movement off the ball, dropping deep to play between the lines, and great positional sense. Blessed with electric pace over a short distance, there's subtlety in the way he carries the ball. One of his strongest traits is the art of dribbling, completing nearly half (47.1%) of his attempted runs. "It's not just his goals," manager John van den Brom adds. "It's also the energy and pressure (averaging 0.8 tackles per game) on the defenders. Whether in the first or last minute it makes no difference to him. He's calculated and very strong".

The humbling experience of rejection plus subsequent scratching and clawing has toughened him mentally, so when he soon found himself as AZ's protagonist – by a distance their leading performing with a rating of 7.49 – he managed to take it in his stride. "He is unperturbed," Van den Brom proclaimed. "He will not be fooled by all that is happening around him. He remains true to himself and that is a quality".

Over-reliance is obviously a concern: Janssen is responsible for 42% of AZ's league goals, no player in the Eredivisie possesses a higher figure, and he’s been their match winner on seven occasions, matched by Dirk Kuyt and Arkadiusz Milik elsewhere. But this is a conundrum Van den Brom is happy to contemplate, who is equally wary of suitors keeping an envious eye, it would be naïve to imagine what he is doing will be going unnoticed.

No one can truly predict how a precocious young footballer will develop, and no one could've foreseen how fast things have gone with Janssen, who's captured the public's imagination on the pitch and impressed them off of it. His newfound fame means a moment of reflection is required this summer.

It's imperative the decision he comes to is in his best interest. In recent years many of his compatriots have made the wrong decision often choosing greater riches at the expense of their much-needed development, consequently fading into anonymity. It would be a shame if Janssen was to suffer a similar fate when everything at the moment is pointing towards a bright future.

Should Janssen be looking for a move this summer? Let us know in the comments below