What's new

Rafael Van der Vaart to become Free Agent in the summer..

MattPhilpott

Well-Known Member
May 30, 2013
844
3,176
Former Tottenham star Rafael Van der Vaart is to become a free agent this summer after his current club Hamburg confirmed they wouldn’t be renewing his contract at the end of the season.

The Dutch playmaker became a huge fan favourite during his two year stay at White Hart Lane before leaving the Lilywhites in the summer transfer window of 2012 to return to Hamburg, a team he played with three years previously before joining Real Madrid in 2008.

Despite a initially successful comeback, keeping the Bundesliga side in the German top flight, Hamburgs Director of Sport Dietmar Beiersdorfer has now confirmed both the 32 year-old and fellow team-mate Marcell Jansen will be searching for a new challenge in the upcoming transfer window.

“Rafael and Marcell know that we are not going to hold any talks with them over contract extensions.” Beiersdorfer said on his club’s website.

“With Heiko and Slobodan, we’ve left it open. We’ve postponed a decision and told the players this.

“The players have assured us that ensuring Hamburg avoid relegation is the absolute priority and that they will put everything into this.”

Van der Vaart has scored four times in 18 appearances this campaign and is now being linked with a move back to his first professional club in Ajax or a transfer to America, joining former Tottenham players such as Robbie Keane and Clint Dempsey in Major League Soccer.
----------------

Thoughts? If he was available for nothing in the summer and we could keep him fit, is he worth having back at the club? I loved him at the club and he is a personal favourite of mine, think he is a truly special player.

Is it maybe worth offering a deal as a player/coach? Think he could work wonders with Eriksen and people, a great guy to have around the club, not to mention he is adored by the fans!
 

wozzahotspurs

Active Member
Jan 19, 2007
585
335
Ok ill take this one. As much as he was an instant fans favourite (I loved him and was gutted when he left) hes what? 2 years older & has always had fitness issues. always looked tired at the 60min mark.
Call it a long shot but i dont think he will fit into MoPo's high pressing game.
I really wish it could be different :(
 

THFCSPURS19

The Speaker of the Transfer Rumours Forum
Jan 6, 2013
37,886
130,485
I'd take him as a player-coach. He will probably go to MLS though. I still love him.
 

Geyzer Soze

Fearlessly the idiot faced the crowd
Aug 16, 2010
26,056
63,361
Never heard any indication whatsoever that he might be a coach, has ever coached or has any interest in coaching. So there's that ..
 

Supersi32

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2008
2,525
2,754
Wonderfully gifted footballer, I`ve been a Spurs fan for 30 odd years and he is one of my favourite players to wear the shirt in that time. I think he may well end up back in Holland.
 

0-Tibsy-0

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2012
11,201
43,790
I love him.

But no.

He is not a player for us now and would never suit Pochs high energy press these days. We have to buy players that fit the managers plans.

And while he might make a very good coach, he will want a final big pay day somewhere lesser as a player first.
 

chinaman

Well-Known Member
Jul 19, 2003
17,974
12,423
I'd have him for 60 minutes a game over pretty much every attacking player we've got for 90.


He won't last 60 minutes in Poch's style. Perhaps good on the bench and put him on in the last 20 minutes when chasing a game as he's likely to get a goal or create an assist when his legs are fresh.
 

gregga

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2005
2,281
1,312
Could be a great super-sub? God knows we've needed inspiration many a time this season and there's f*** all to be founnd on the bench most of the time.
 

Lufti

Well-Known Member
Jan 3, 2013
7,994
16,635
I'd have him for 60 minutes a game over pretty much every attacking player we've got for 90.

This'll be good

befb1bc7141682840448197290_700wa_0.gif
 

TottenhamMattSpur

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
10,925
16,007
He won't last 60 minutes in Poch's style. Perhaps good on the bench and put him on in the last 20 minutes when chasing a game as he's likely to get a goal or create an assist when his legs are fresh.
What about taking Townsend off after the first half hour every game.
Hopefully his chicken runs will at least tire the defender ready for VDV
 

Mullers

Unknown member
Jan 4, 2006
25,914
16,413
We must bring him back he is just what we need, he has the ability, he has a winners mentality. We must bring him back home, he'll give the side a lift and improve our attacking options.
 

JUSTINSIGNAL

Well-Known Member
Jul 10, 2008
15,980
48,498
Love the guy but a there is no way he would have the stamina, work rate or mobillity to work in Pochs team.
 

Wheeler Dealer

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2011
6,863
12,282
If Redknapp ever gets back in somewhere, then expect him to be chasing VDV, as he hits all the right notes for Harry. His legs have gone, triffic lad and commands massive wages... Absolutely nailed on
 

yojambo

Well-Known Member
Jun 13, 2012
3,199
9,324
At first I was like no way, he doesn't fit the system, and I don't think he would have the same impact as when first joined. However the more I think about, if he is happy to take a senior role, play the occasional match or come on for the final 20mins when we need to unlock a defence I'd be up for it.

Our youngsters could learn a lot from him in training.
 

JerryGarcia

Dark star crashes...
May 18, 2006
8,694
16,026
There are so many reasons not to take him back but even so, I'd still have him as long as he didn't think he'd start every game. He could play a role for the team in AM or come on for Mason to give the midfield a bit more composure and leadership. Not to mention he could teach Pritchard and Eriksen a thing or two.

Poch seems to be a bit of a miracle worker with injuries as well so I could see him getting the maximum out of VDV without pushing him over his limit.

The only question is would he leave Germany and move away from his kid for a year or two?
 

JimmyG2

SC Supporter
Dec 7, 2006
15,014
20,779
Love him but that ship has sailed.
Struggling to keep up two years ago
and Poch likes ´em young and malleable.

Nice piece of management speak
the 32 year-old will be searching for a new challenge in the upcoming transfer window.
 

Gaz_Gammon

Well-Known Member
Apr 16, 2005
16,047
18,013
Love him but that ship has sailed.
Struggling to keep up two years ago
and Poch likes ´em young and malleable.

Nice piece of management speak
the 32 year-old will be searching for a new challenge in the upcoming transfer window.


Shouldn't it be barge has sailed?

















Just wondering like............................;)
 

Lufti

Well-Known Member
Jan 3, 2013
7,994
16,635
To put it simply, I don't think we should be going for players who are 32 and not deemed good enough for a team in what is effectively the relegation zone of a league weaker than our own.
 
Top