Goodbye VDV?

[ShelfSide18]

VDV is a world class player and don't want to see him go, however I do see potential problems ahead with where he will fit into AVBs plans. We've seen he's not exactly a perfect fit for the right side in a 4-3-3, and I'm not completely sure about him in a Cm3, not that I don't think he couldn't play there, but he's such an asset in and around the box I don't want to lose that.

As for the OP, I see no problem in Rafa adapting to AVBs pressing style - he always works his little nuts off anyway, yet next season I hope it's part of a coherent off the ball ethic.

If only VDV had a little burst of pace, or even just that gliding ability to drift past players like for example Ozil has, because as good as he is you do have to compromise a bit, the Dutch found this out in the Euro's too.

 

[$hoguN]

Is he though?

I mean, if we assume that 'world class' means he can get into any side in the world, then that's not true

If 'world class' means he's one of the top-10 number 10s/AMC in the world then that's probably not true either


Anyway, in answer to the original question it'll be down to the formation that AVB deploys. I'm actually quite interested to see what AVB can get out of the Dutch wizard

He kept Kaka out of the Madrid team before leaving, he would walk into any side bar probably Barca, but they made room for Cesc and VDV is better than him, and Madrid now although I still think he is better than Ozil

 

[dav3j]

I honestly wonder what team some people are watching when they criticise VdV. The bloke really is world class, the reason he gets so knackered is because he covers every inch of the pitch, certainly made worse, no doubt, by not having a defined role or area of the pitch to command under Redknapp's laissez-faire approach to tactics. Obviously catching the MOTD highlights doesn't quite capture it...

Also, a bit of squad rotation once in a while wouldn't do us any harm.

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

You want a team that runs out f energy at sixty minutes?

I think in an organised team Rafa would be disciplined in his set role, rather than trying to be Roy of the Rovers like he was in rudderless Redknapp's teams. He has shown this at Ajax, Madrid and Holland before (less so at Hamburg).

 

[tiger666]

He is world class. Bear in mind though, he'll be 30 next Feb. He won't be around forever. Not saying he should be sold or in any way is past it. Just thinking about life after Rafa.

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

He is world class. Bear in mind though, he'll be 30 next Feb. He won't be around forever. Not saying he should be sold or in any way is past it. Just thinking about life after Rafa.

He's just coming into his prime. Loss of pace won't be an issue for him; age never usually is problem for #10s (e.g. Sheringham, Zola, Del Piero, Raul etc. - all played at the top well into their mid-30s). Reckon he's still got 4 years left at the highest level.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Twice in this thread I have rated Dan Ashcroft's post as 'Agree'.

#justsaying

 

[tiger666]

He's just coming into his prime. Loss of pace won't be an issue for him; age never usually is problem for #10s (e.g. Sheringham, Zola, Del Piero, Raul etc. - all played at the top well into their mid-30s). Reckon he's still got 4 years left at the highest level.

Yeah that's a fair comment I guess.

 

[Spurger King]

Well I must be getting old, I never heard of jumping a shark!

Not so fun fact of the day - the phrase 'jumping the shark' is named after a Happy Days episode where Pauloy jumps over a shark whilst water skiing. It was used by an author to descibe the point where a tv show is manifestly going down hill.

 

[JimmyG2]

Twice in this thread I have rated Dan Ashcroft's post as 'Agree'.

#justsaying

Me too. He 's talking an awful lot of sense today. What's he on and can I have some?

 

[Jamturk]

I think its more down to age and influence, If AVB believes he will be a good influence and can fit the system we will keep him untill he retires. If not then this is the best time to sell him due to transfer fee and wages. Nothing to do with his ability.

I think he will be sold, as Levy et al will want to promote squad harmony and cannot have a repeat of the Chelsea saga.

 

[Spurger King]

If we sell two proven world class premiership players in Modric and VDV it will be a fucking retarded decision. I can understand letting rat boy go as he's clearly eager to leave, however VDV is exactly the type of player we need at the club. We should be making him captain.

 

[ILS]

VDV is a world class player, i keep hearing...really? Yes he is a very good player and one of our better players but world class? The word world class gets banded about by too many idiots throughout football.

World Class = Ronaldo, Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Iker, Ramos

Do you fans really believe he is as good as any of them? When he is second choice behind Sneijider for his country in his best position?

I hate to say it but some of our own fans are seriously deluded!

 

[CosmicHotspur]

I would be very, very upset if he left. He's a real asset and shouldn't be under-rated as a first class player.

 

[Black]

Lack of fitness, people actually still believe Harry's waffle

 

[brendanb50]

You want a team that runs out f energy at sixty minutes?

This perception of Rafa's fitness is a bit misplaced IMO.

When he first joined, he'd not been a regular for RM and hadn't got a pre-season under his belt really - hence the lack of match fitness.

I think we saw last year a player who can perform for 90mins and one who has genuine class and talent.

In regards to the OP - I think Rafa is still our first choice behind a striker. Here's hoping he stays for a long while yet.

 

[bryanabutler]

Twice in this thread I have rated Dan Ashcroft's post as 'Agree'.

#justsaying

Are you ill

 

[stemark44]

what is wrong with his fitness ?

he has a knee problem similar to King which he cannot help and we cannot change, I just hope our new fitness coach stops causing more injuries to VDV and listens to the likes of Raymond Verheijen on how to train him to get the best out of him.

Does' anyone really know what fitness problems Rafa has?
You say he has a knee like Ledley and others maintain he has weak hamstrings and can't play a full game.

Is there anyone out there who knows for sure?

 

[Bus-Conductor]

VDV played on the three occasions we used 433 last season that I remember (Norwich away, Chelsea away, Swansea home) and they were three of our better performances all season. Against Chelsea away we were better than them, using the same systems and they had a quicker player player the outside right position (Sturridge then Kalou).

He can fit into that system. That system is good with at least one of the outside attackers coming inside to shoot (i.e. left footer played right or vice versa) or even both.

This stuff about his work rate is nonsense, VDV will graft, every time I saw the stats, VDV had covered more ground than anyone. I usually saw them at half time, and VDV did sometimes run our of puff towards the latter part of the second half but then we can sub, or start to rotate a bit better maybe than we did under Redknapp.

I hope he stays. Played outside right in a 433 he'll contribute more than most players we could play there or buy to play there.

 

[HildoSpur]

I dont necessarily see a problem with VDV fitting into whatever system AVB would like to play, he works hard and is an extremely gifted and influential player - also the guy is experienced at the very highest level and has a winning attitude. The only problem with him is fitness but thats always been an issue and is manageable especially with more rotation in the squad hopefully happening. I would be surprised and disappointed if he was sold to say the least.