Rafael Van der Vaart has never been the shy, retiring type, but his constant stinging attacks and public criticism of Harry Redknapp’s decisions have started to cross the line. He is beginning to talk himself out of Tottenham, like he has done at other clubs in the past.
Van der Vaart’s latest criticism of Redknapp, came after Harry’s decision to play him on the right wing during Sunday’s win against Arsenal. Although Van der Vaart put Spurs ahead, he was at fault for the equaliser, as he failed to track Alex Song down the flanks, as he set up Aaron Ramsey’s goal. We know Van der Vaart prefers to play a central role, and sure everyone wants to play in their preferred position, but sometimes you just have to take one for the team. His latest comments characterise his selfishness and his laziness, as well as his unwillingness to put the team before his own ego. We see plenty of other players in the Premier League who aren’t playing in their natural positions, but few if any come out and publicly criticise their manager. Redknapp took a risk playing him out there, in order to accommodate him in the side, so he should of just got on with it like a professional, instead of whining about it to the press.
The very public way he has criticised Redknapp both this week, and over his fitness issues and Europe League omission in the past few months, is a worry. These matters should be dealt with in house rather than aired in the public arena. It is embarrassing for the club and manager, and it will be interesting to see how much longer Redknapp puts up with it, as it could be damaging for morale and it is disrespectful to the club and his team-mates. Redknapp is known for his man-management skills, but this might be a bridge too far, even for him.
Van der Vaart is famed for his strops and tantrums. He has never been one to keep his mouth shut when he feels slighted, and his past is littered with this kind of behaviour. He has argued with players and managers in the past, frequently showing this kind of petulant behaviour, and trouble seems to follow him wherever he goes.
Doubts still linger as to why he hasn’t achieved more in his club career and his attitude is surely the key reason behind this. Questions remain as to why he moved to Hamburg from Ajax, instead of a bigger club, and why Jose Mourinho was happy to let him leave Real Madrid.
There are no doubts that he is a talented footballer, but he should of achieved more than he has in the game. He simply hasn’t achieved enough to even begin to merit the type of ego he is showing, and his behaviour is incredibly disrespectful and childish. He clearly believes his own hype, and isn’t happy unless he is the star of the team, and the centre of attention. The fact that Spurs have the likes of Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and now Emmanuel Adebayoron their books, means Van der Vaart isn’t centre stage all the time, and he clearly has some sort of a complex about that.
His latest outbursts seem as though he is trying to stir up controversy, and might be trying to seal a move away from Spurs. His market value has increased after an impressive spell at the club and he knows the big European clubs like AC Milan are sniffing around him. It seems as though his behaviour might just have a hidden agenda behind it, as he tries to force Spurs into a position where selling him would be the best option for the club.
His outbursts signal that his future may lie elsewhere come January, and that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for Spurs as they simply don’t need a player with his kind of ego. A lot of teams haven’t fancied him in the past because of his attitude, so it will be interesting to see if anyone wants to take a risk on him, should his ploy to engineer a move away from White Hart Lane be successful.
Written by Lauren Rutter for FootballFancast.com. Do you think Van der Vaart is talking himself out of White Hart Lane? Let me know your thoughts by commenting below, or following me on Twitter @LaurenRutter for more comment and debate.
Introducing the neat little app that’ll pay you to view content tailored to your interests:
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
I Agree with VDV
It’s the press {sorry} 😛 who are blowing it all up. Do supporters really think 30 20something year old blokes and an old codger go through the day smoothly? Not in any walk. Also, the media is so expansive now, what with twitter, etc, and really, Spurs haven’t done so bad compared to some clubs. Mistakes will be made, though, and this generation are the twitter guinea-pigs… I know Rafas’ case isn’t twitter but general media, but he’s old enough to know the score – if he takes Harry on he will lose. I think he’s just a typically out-spoken Dutchman who knows what side his bread is buttered. He’ll be fine. Levy would want £25m. He’ll end up at PSG if he’s not careful.
VDV is the reason for us going backwards last season. One up front with VDV behind resulted in us getting 19 less goals (2009/10 – Defoe and Crouch 37 goals……. 2010/11 VDV & Crouch 18 goals). It’s not rocket science, even Harry Redknapp is starting to see it.
If Rafa feels he can play better and give more to the team from centre midfield, then wtf is Harrys problem with putting him there? If Rafa enjoys his football more playing in the centre of midfield and he plays well and it keeps him happy, then play him there for a few games just to shut him the fak up!!!! If hes sh!t and we stop scoring, then play him somewhere else. But at least take the chance to keep him happy as hes a quality player. And ffs get Pav on for some playing time as hes another player whose talent we are wasting!!!