Rafael van der Vaart is a name already tipped to become part of Tottenham Hotspur FC folklore. This may be highly premature but Spurs fans can be forgiven for getting slightly carried away. Performances thus far suggest that the Holland international constitutes the ‘one special player’ that Harry Redknapp identified to ease their re-entry to top European club competition for the first time since 1962. Numerous players were instrumental in getting the team to this level but the sentiment is that van der Vaart’s presence will help them stay there. Once again those benevolent types at Real Madrid have performed a selfless service to another club competing in the Champions League. Following his match-winning performance at home to Aston Villa, are questions over his best position in the squad moribund? Will this talented playmaker continue in his preferred free role behind a main striker?
When prompted to pass judgement on van der Vaart on Match of the Day 2, his compatriot Clarence Seedorf was tight lipped on whether he could be suitably described as ‘world class.’ Such a prestigious label can weigh a player down but the AC Milan star was quick to praise his talent and proffer the view that he was benefiting immensely from a continuity and rhythm which had waned at the Bernabeu. The esteemed Milan midfielder was discussing the Tottenham star’s performance in their home tie against Villa. Rarely will £8 million seem like such a bargain as he scored a brace to reverse Marc Albrighton’s opening goal.
The former Ajax man levelled the scores at the end of the first period, heading in from close range after good work from Roman Pavlyuchenko and Peter Crouch. Nevertheless the manager opted to provide his deadline day signing with more freedom by substituting the Russian forward for Aaron Lennon and granting him a free role, linking the midfield and forward lines. Using a player of his skill, fluidity and sharp movement indicates that a 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 formation is not implicitly a more defensive option than deploying two conventional strikers. However utilising van der Vaart in this role can bolster the team’s defensive shape as he has not always offered meaningful protect to full-backs when playing wide. A burgeoning understanding with Crouch saw the striker head the ball towards van der Vaart who tricked Richard Dunne with a shrewd feint and emphatically struck the ball past Brad Friedel to get the winner. “When the ball goes up to Crouchy, Rafa’s always around there looking for it, he’s got a real knack for scoring,” Redknapp said.
The player who has 85 international caps is arguably destined for a central role where he can bring fluidity and flair to the Spurs attack. The Dutchman has profited from Jermaine Defoe’s ankle injury which coincided with his arrival in England. With confidence faltering in Robbie Keane and Pavlyuchenko, the inclusion of van der Vaart has allowed the management team to experiment with formations, something Redknapp had planned, predominantly in Europe. Last month he said, “I’m looking forward to seeing them (van der Vaart and Luka Modric) play together. I like those players who know how to play and can see a pass.”
The indications are, however, that the World Cup finalist could usurp the Croatian as the side’s chief creator in midfield. This Tottenham team can proudly boast a wealth of inventive midfielders which has often giving the manager a selection headache. Redknapp said of his new midfielder, “His best position is probably behind the two strikers, but we have a left-sided player in Gareth Bale and it’s a question of how we set up.” His attributes imply that he can play across the midfield due to his delicate touch, vision, passing and ability to keep possession in congested areas. But playing him in his favourite role may just permit him to create the unexpected more often. As the Villa victory showed, a forward partnership with Crouch is a question of balance too. Defoe’s expected return from injury in December could be less than straightforward.
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