Is Rafael Van Der Vaart really worth all the hassle he brings?

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has apparently got a dilemma on his hand about what to do with Rafael Van Der Vaart.

The Dutchman has again complained about being played out of position and it seems the Tottenham boss now believes he has to play the Dutchman just behind the lone striker.

Problem

Redknapp admitted he has a selection problem and told the Sun: “Yes, it does seem to be a problem. Rafa can’t run back and chase the full-back. Against the better teams it is a problem,”
“Rafa’s best position is in the middle, playing just behind the front man.

“The only problem is that Jermain Defoe plays there too and Jermain is playing very, very well at the moment. So, I guess I have got a decision to make, haven’t I? I suppose it’s now between Rafa and Jermain over who plays in the team.”

Redknapp continued: “Rafa is a terrific footballer. He has great skill. But if you’re in the team and asked to do a job, really, you should just do it.”

Complaints

All I seem to hear about these days is footballers moaning about something or other. They are paid a fortune to go on a pitch and kick a ball around. Footballers should give their all without moaning or throwing their toys out of the pram.

Rafael Van Der Vaart has now stated twice that he doesn’t like being played on the wing. He’s an international footballer he should play wherever he is picked. He is not the manager and he doesn’t pick the team. The manager picks the team not Van Der Vaart.

I think he needs to sit and have a word with himself on this one. Unfortunately Van Der Vaart seems to have an attitude problem and its not going to go away. He is part of the pampered football brigade that we have seen rule football over the last 20 or more years.

Footballers that think because they have talent they have the right to tell the manager what to do and generally act like a Prima Donna.

Skill

Don’t get me wrong I do think that Rafael Van Der Vaart is a good player and has skill. Unfortunately he needs to be treated with care to get the best out of his ability. If he is not happy then he can look uninterested on the pitch and not want the ball.

He then becomes inconsistent and stroppy. Van Der Vaart has had this problem throughout his career and that’s why he left Real Madrid, paired with the fact he wasn’t good enough to get in their team on consistent basis.

Competition

Harry reckons Van Der Vaart is currently competing with England striker Jermain Defoe for a place in the starting line-up. They are vastly different players. Defoe will give you his all and has explosive pace.

Van Der Vaart is more of a playmaker who will sit behind the striker and create chances. He also provides a goal threat. Ideally if Van Der Vaart was in the right state of mind you would want both in your team.

However Jermain Defoe seems to have started the season really well and I would choose Defoe in a that second striker role at the moment. It’s the classic little and large partnership of Defoe and new signing Emmanuel Adebayor.

Accept

Rafael Van Der Vaart needs to accept that the manager is in charge and give his all for the team and club. Harry Redknapp is doing his best to get the Dutchman into the team and I don’t think that Van Der Vaart’s talents are wasted on the wing.

The player seems to think they are though and doesn’t want to track back with an attacking full-back. Well sorry Rafa but that’s how football works you have to do a job for the TEAM!. You should have realised that by now.

If he can learn to keep his mouth shut and let his football do the talking then his relationship with Tottenham and their fans can be a fruitful one. However if he chooses to sulk I can see only see one outcome and that’s the Dutchman’s exit from White Hart Lane in the near future.

Is Rafael Van der Vaart worth the headache he brings?