Everton manager suggests Tottenham transfer situation has been ‘really absurd’

It’s fair to say there’s some negativity in the Netherlands towards Tottenham’s treatment of Vincent Janssen.

De Telegraaf didn’t hold back when Janssen was left of Tottenham’s Champions League squad, and reported what they said was the huge pressure the player had been put under.

Trying to prepare for a crucial Netherlands WC qualifier, Janssen didn’t even want contact from Tottenham but was instead told clearly he’d have no future at the club and needed to accept a move to West Brom or Brighton.

He didn’t, but ended up joining Fenerbahce on loan. The damage in the eyes of the Dutch media had already been done, with Janssen and perhaps even the Dutch camp generally, distracted ahead of the France game, which they lost 4-0 on deadline day.

Everton manager Ronald Koeman writes a column for De Telegraaf and believes the Janssen situation was ‘really absurd’.

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The Goodison Park boss was touching upon what he feels is the Premier League’s good decision to end the next summer window early. Naming Tottenham’s Janssen as his only example, Koeman said he believes all of Europe should fall in line, to avoid a situation like the Oranje had with their striker.

“It would be good if all of Europe pulls one line. Because it’s really absurd what has happened this transfer window. Vincent Janssen isn’t the only player on the day of a major World Cup qualifier with a transfer. It’s not possible for national teams to count on players during an international period, when they’re deciding whether to make a move…”

Of course, as Koeman knows, unless the rest of Europe do the same, Janssen’s situation may not have been completely different. Everton or Tottenham could still end next August trying to get rid of players they don’t want, and causing a difficult situation for all involved.