A gift from the chairman is how Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp described their deadline day acquisition of Rafael van der Vaart. Daniel Levy has emerged as the club’s real wheeler dealer, swooping for a World Cup finalist for a fee of £8 million. It was patently a deal too good to turn down for the ambitious club, playing in Europe’s top club competition for the first time since the 1961-62 season. But for Redknapp, who was already bestowed with reams of quality and creativity in midfield, where does the Dutchman fit in? He has adapted to life in London exceptionally well but in organising a balanced midfield, are there concerns over the regular inclusion of Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon?
An ankle injury put short shrift to Jermaine Defoe’s excellent early season form. His absence has allowed Spurs to experiment with one striker due to the abundance of creative talent in the centre. Making his Premier League debut at the Hawthorns, van der Vaart started on the wing as Bale went to left back and Modric adopted his preferred central playmaker role. The Dutchman and the Croat combined to put the Lilywhites ahead. The former Real Madrid player’s pass was driven low into the bottom corner by Modric. The Croatian international sustained an injury in that away draw but his manager believes the two talented attacking midfielders can play together. “I’m looking forward to seeing them play together. I love people who can play, and know how to play together, who can see a pass where others can’t.” Having played on the wing thus far the presumption would be that the former Ajax man will be given licence to exploit space across the forward line.
However Redknapp said, “In an ideal world (van der Vaart would play) behind the two strikers, playing in the hole. But it’s difficult (to accommodate that) in the way we shape up with Bale on the left, and Lennon on the right.” This selection dilemma befell Tottenham in their next league match at home to Wolves. Reverting back to a 4-4-2 system, the deadline day signing who scored from the penalty spot, started on the right edging out Lennon. Described as a ‘roadrunner’ by Mark Lawrenson, his substitute appearance together with the impressive Alan Hutton gave the team a necessary injection of pace.
Tom Huddlestone is another elegant player critical to Spurs’ midfield. The England international prospered when partnering Modric in central midfield last season. Having filled in at centre-back before, he is known as a versatile midfielder who can protect the defence and control the tempo of the game. Furthermore he has varied passing ability and can unleash a sweetly struck shot. Arguably all of the aforementioned midfielder could be accommodated in a 4-5-1 formation which has been utilised domestically and in Europe. Yet this formation cannot successfully operate without the destructive, combative play of Wilson Palacios. Defensive midfielder Sandro is yet to make his debut and the manager has noted the resurgent form of Jermaine Jenas.
Champions League football has come late in the career of Redknapp who will be expected to field a cautious five across midfield away from White Hart Lane. This is not a tantalising prospect for season ticket holders who would fear that against teams who swamp the midfield, a long ball game to Peter Crouch may become the default option. The centre of the park is undoubtedly the area where Spurs are strongest. Unlikely to stay fixed, the onus will be on maximum competition for places and tactical diversity. However van der Vaart’s fluidity and technique suggests he will eventually be the club’s resident midfield improviser. Last year’s cast offs at Real Madrid, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben, were the toast of Europe, competing against each other in the Champions League final. Spurs fans may feel that Madrid’s profligacy will be to their lasting benefit.
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