Triffic Tottenham – Spurs News Blog and Forum

Rafael Van der Vaart, born in 1983 the 27 year old started his career as a product of the Ajax youth academy. He made his debut for Ajax in 2000 as a 17 year old, he stayed in the Ajax team for the next 5 years and scored 52 goals in 117 appearances. You could say he was as prolific goalscorer as a midfielder can be, some will argue the level of football is not as high in the Dutch league as it is here in England. He captained the side in his final season at the club in 2004/05.

In 2005 he moved to German side Hamburg, it was a bit of a surprise because he was highly tipped to move to one of the biggest clubs in Europe. Van der Vaart finished his first season with his new club as the teams top scorer, the following year just like Ajax had done, Hamburg gave Rafael the captains armband. Van der Vaart spent 3 years in Germany scoring 29 goals in 74 appearances, again not a bad record.

In the summer of 2008 Van der Vaart got his big move as he signed for Spanish giants Real Madrid to become a new galactico. During his first season with Real he scored his first ever hat-trick, he later fell out with ex Spurs and current Real boss Juande Ramos after the manager said he felt Van der Vaart was more of an impact player, this lead to some top Premiership clubs including Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea waiting in the wings should he be transfer listed. The following season in 2009 it was speculated that Rafael would be leaving Real as new manager Manuel Pellegrini told the Dutch midfielder that he did not feature in his current team plans. By this time Real had signed Kaka and Christiano Ronaldo who both play similar roles. He did get his chance in the team following the sales of Robben and Sneijder, following an injury to Kaka he was given a chance in the team once again and proved to be a key player for Real during his spell back in the team, scoring some crucial goals as Real made a push for the La Liga title. Van der Vaart only scored 11 goals in 58 games for Real but you have to remember a lot of his appearances for Real were made from the bench.

Van der Vaart made his international debut for Holland as an 18 year old against Andorra, he has since played in 2 European Championships and 2 World Cups for Holland. His international goal scoring record isn’t too bad either, 16 goals in 83 caps, he also featured in this year’s World Cup Final against Spain.

Well you know the rest, on 31st August 2010 Rafael Van der Vaart signed for Tottenham Hotspur on transfer deadline day in a move worth around £8million. Personally, having watched this guy for a lot of his career I would consider that a bargain. Real Madrid had no plans to include him in their squad which meant they were desperate to offload him. Their loss is our gain, I don’t doubt his ability for a minute, he was behind Kaka, Ronaldo and Ozil at Real who are arguably some of the best players around. So we have gained a player who has played at the highest level and brings with him bags of experience. Martin Jol once claimed that Van der Vaart was one of the best playmakers in the world. Rafael will bring something special to Tottenham and I am talking about his fit wife.

I look forward to seeing this guy in a Spurs shirt, yeah we might not have really needed another midfielder but when you can pick up a bargain like this which can only improve the team then why not? He will add goals to our midfield which will mask the fact we lack a world class striker, it means that not signing a top striker at the moment isn’t as important as it was because he will be getting himself in the box like Lampard does. For any doubters, watch the video below at the type of quality this guy has.

There you have it the transfer window has been firmly closed at least until the mid winter draft indicates it’s opening once more.Well in the case of Tottenham Hotspur I suppose it was more along the line of gradually pushed too on a rather persistent if not pleasant sales man whom you wish not to offend.

Let us then take a detailed look at the new faces that have come to join us at our hearth and in so doing ask ourselves whether we have done enough to sustain a serious assault on the four competitions we find ourselves in.

STEPE PLETIKOSA:Born 8th January 1979 (31).Height 6ft 4″; Pletikosa is the fourth Croatian to find himself warming within our walls along side fellow compatriots Luka Modric,Vedran Corluka and Niko Kranjcar.The keeper signed on a seasons long loan from Spartak Moscow after failing to find a place in their first team squad,he has eighty caps for the national team and whilst partaking in the 2008 European Championship Stepe was labeled by BBC pundit Alan Hanson as the best goalkeeper ahead of  Petr Cech,Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Casillas.However these glowing recommendations aside it was not for him to be recognized by the powers that hold sway over the final word and it was in the end Van Der Sar,Buffon and Casillias for whom the honours would be awarded.

TRIFFIC; Still though these attributes that brought him to the attention of Alan and many other pundits will not have found themselves cast aside and I’m sure that once he regains his match fitness the cat like reflexes and smart shot stopping that he was renowned for will return to his game that he might even threaten to remove our very own number one Heurelho Gomes from his place between the sticks.For me then this is a good move by Harry and who knows it could even turn into a permanent deal.

WILLIAM GALLAS:Born 17th August 1977 (33 yrs).Height 6ft; His senior career took him from Cain where he played thirty four times through to Marseille where he made eighty five appearances scoring twice,he then made his move to England and the Premier League to join Chelsea starting one hundred and fifty nine times collecting twelve goals before moving across London to join Arsenal making one hundred starts scoring another twelve times,his next move would make him the first ever player to play for three Capital clubs in a single career,although he has yet to make his Tottenham debut.

TRIFFIC; Whilst Williams reputation rather proceeds his every move I also consider this to be an excellent move on behalf of Mr Redknapp as his undoubted experience in playing the big games will help our squad no ends,leaving aside then for one minute the rumours of unrest caused in dressing rooms and what was shocking behavior on the pitch at Birmingham,as I’m sure these questions will have been asked by Gallas himself and hopefully he has found the answers within so that they will never again resurface.The sheer understanding that he will bring of how the game should be played from back to front will educate those around him of that I’m sure.

SANDRO RANIERI:Born 15th March 1989 (21).Height 6ft 1″; Sandro is a product of Internacionals’ youth academy he signed his first professional contract in 2007 as an eighteen year old he has been described as a defensive midfielder that loves to get forward.He is seen by those at Tottenham as a great prospect and one which a number of top European clubs were said to be tracking he though chose to join Spurs as we were said of him to be the perfect fit for his style of play,although this would have been aided undoubtedly by the agreement which has been in place between our two clubs for a short while now.Whereby we have first option on all academy players.

TRIFFIC; Again although this youngster is more than likely seen as one for the future I am convinced that his mature approach to life will see him staring for the first team sooner rater than later and we will then view his no nonsense approach as a complement to our other midfielders,whilst pushing the likes of Palacios to up his own game.Yes another masterful piece of negotiating on behalf of Danial Levy.

RAFAEL VAN DER VAART: Born 11th February 1983 (27).Height 5ft 10″; WORLD CLASS.No other words for this guy,Ajax 117-aps 52-goals between 2000,2005,Hamburg 74-aps 29-goals between 2005,2008,Real Madrid 58-aps 11-goals between 2008,2010 and now Tottenham Hotspur where he brings a wealth of knowledge and unquestionable talent.It has been said that he can play on either flank or just behind the forward in a classic number ten role (sound familiar) could this be our Joe Cole? I hope so,as Saturday showed the creativity we lack when Modric is out injured and Kranjcar is still searching for that fitness which must surely have been lost as a result of that injury picked up in the FA Cup semi final against Portsmouth.

TRIFFIC: As I have already written this lad,and I use the word lad with reason as we have a player in his prime here at twenty seven he has all the experience we could wish for but with the legs of someone that can use it to an ends.I can just see those envious eyes of other top Premier League managers and chairmen looking round for someone to pass the buck to,whilst simultaneously denying any need for him as there squads are more than capable of fulfilling any need.No sorry I don’t believe it you missed out on a top player and for once it was Tottenham that won the day.

STRIKER:Born unknown.Height over 6ft.Requirements;Able to play alone with strength,pace and an consistent eye for goal driving runs from midfield preferred with the ability to see both the critical pass for team mate and posses the ability to complete the same,but also hold the skill to address the current lack of set piece expertise within the squad.

CONCLUSION; So in my opinion we have here what would be at any other club an amazing spine albeit missing one fundamental piece,the striker,and of this one thing I’m sure would Harry have found the one that could have moved us on to the next level there is no doubt we would be adding him to the above list,but alas it has proved not to be the case,may be January though you never know or perhaps the new arrivals might just be that missing link what do you think.

I was browsing the web when I came across this, it gave me goosebumps, I hate international breaks, I just want to see this guy in a Spurs shirt now.

I suppose for now this will do…

I could get used to this on a Champions League night.

Tottenham have just confirmed that Rafael Van Der Vaart is now a Tottenham player. In the last few minuted the club have announced that the Premier League have given the transfer the all clear.

Van Der Vaart joins from Real Madrid in a deal worth around £8million, the deal was done late on transfer deadline day yesterday but questions remained over whether it was completed in time. It turned out that Tottenham missed the deadline because of technical issues to which the Premier League investigated and have now given the move the all clear.

Van Der Vaart is free to play in the Champions League group stages and brings with him invaluable experience of playing at the highest level.

The reason he was shipped out of Madrid is because he fell behind Ozil, Kaka and Ronaldo, so don’t under estimate the guys ability, you would have to be extra special to get in front of those three. Van Der Vaart is happy to be joining the Premiership and see’s it as a new challenge. I think this guy needs a stable club and to be adored by the fans and we can offer him both.

If you want to cream your pants then watch this video

The guy is a class act and will add goals to our midfield, he will also support the striker for when Harry plays his 4-5-1 formation. He is a player we have been linked with in the past and a player I personally have admired and hoped he would join. He started out at Ajax and then after much hype about his talent moved to Hamburg in 2005 before being sold to Real Madrid in 2008. If you ask me this is a bargain buy, the guy is capable of scoring 15+ goals from midfield in a season if used right. Van Der Vaart will now be included in Tottenham’s 25 man squad which will be submitted to the Premier League in the next couple of hours.

Speaking to Sky Sports Harry has just confirmed that Tottenham are trying to sign Van Der Vaart for £8million. Harry confirmed after reports that Tottenham had made a last minute deal to land the Dutch World Cup star.

Rafael Signs

Harry said that Spurs are just waiting for the FA to confirm the paperwork was all completed before the 6pm deadline and it seems as though Tottenham may just have beat the deadline.

Van Der Vaart will move to White Hart Lane for around £8million which is a snip, after falling out of favour at Real. This could be our marquee signing that we were promised.

Harry said he rated VDV as a top top player and will add strength to our midfield, he is a top passer of the ball, he also added. Spurs will have to wait for the  FA to confirm the transfer before an official announcement is made.

Take a sneak preview at what we can expect.

Without a doubt a quality player and he will be adored by us Spurs fans.