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At Sport Witness, we could read Vincent Janssen interviews all day, which is probably fortunate given how many long ones he’s done since moving to Spurs. The young Dutch striker speaks excellently about the game, and his rise through the ranks to finally ending up at Spurs.

Of course, it’s the comments about Harry Kane and trying to get a place in Mauricio Pochettino’s team which get the most attention, but Janssen usually offers a wider insight, and we’re not bored of it yet.

Speaking to Helden, Janssen has given a monster interview. As part of it he was asked about winning the Johan Cruyff award, handed out to top talents since 2003. Helden reeled off a list of previous winners and asked Janssen to comment, his answer showed it wasn’t the award which meant the most… but the pitch which comes with it.

Winners of the award get to choose where a new Cruyff court goes. The Cruyff Foundation aims to provide places for youngsters to play the game, and installs courts.

Janssen said: “Yes, I know what you mean, that prize is only the beginning. Coincidentally, I saw all those names when I was present at the Johan Cruyff Court of Spurs. Clarence Seedorf, Christian Eriksen and Dennis Bergkamp were talent of the year!

“I may now also create such a court. I know the location but there is still a process over permits and stuff. I was impressed that day in London by the impact of such Cruyff Courts around our stadium White Hart Lane.

“There are five courts in London, and let me put it this way: they are not located in residential areas. I saw so many children play. I have also spoken to them and almost all of them said they would sit at home without the pitch, or would aimlessly hang out. They said enthusiastically that they could exercise and could play football thanks to that pitch, but also that they then made friends. It’s partly because of this that I can now look forward to my own Johan Cruyff Court.”

Helden were interested to know what Cruyff means at Tottenham, and Janssen gave some more insight: “He transcends everything. I sat in the dressing room when a new player got the number fourteen, a French 21 year old Georges-Kevin N’Koudou.

“He also said that fourteen was actually the number of Cruyff. I never mer Johan Cruyff, I made my debut for the Dutch national team in the Arena match against France at which he was honoured. And I stood on the pitch a few days later at Wembley during the applause and honour in the fourteenth minute. That was for me as a player a magical moment.”

Cruyff isn’t the only Dutch legend who Janssen regularly speaks about, former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has made a big impact on the Tottenham player, and helped Spurs achieve the signing: “I have a special bond with Ruud. I also asked him confidential advice when the first clubs came forward, what he would recommend for me, and also specifically asked how he thought about the transfer to Spurs, and also how to conduct such a conversation with the club. Let me put it this way: he did not look negative on my transfer to Spurs.”

It’s easy to forget that Janssen is only 22 years of age and had a difficult path to the top of football, not making it at a big club’s academy. The Tottenham move was a huge step and Janssen’s performances for Pochettino have deserved more goals. Clearly intelligent, and with a brilliant attitude, some good fortune could see Janssen have a great Tottenham career.