Van der Vaart: Adebayor makes me look good

Tottenham’s Rafael van der Vaart has praised the impact Emmanuel Adebayor has made since his summer move to White Hart Lane.

The Togolese striker, who joined Spurs on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City in August, has been preferred in attack to Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko for much of the season.

Although the former Arsenal forward has failed to score since September for Spurs, the Dutchman insists his team-mate has played a key role in his own goalscoring run of late, which has seen him net six goals in his last six games.

“We had an instant connection, it is instinct. I always say that good players can play together,” Van der Vaart told Sky Sports.

“He is a striker who works a lot for the team. Most strikers when they don’t score are not playing well but he’s maybe even better when he doesn’t score.”

“He’s amazing for us. His strength and his skills mean at least two or three defenders are worried about him. And I’m behind, so for me it is good.”

“That’s why I’m able to arrive in the box for the chances. All the defenders are trying to stop him, and the ball comes to me.”

“I’ve been scoring the goals but he has been very important.”

Van der Vaart also says he is happy playing in a more advanced role alongside Adebayor this season, having featured in central midfield for most of his career.

“I like my position, it’s a role I grew up playing. I can play in different roles and in the national team I even play as defensive midfielder sometimes,” he said.

“You don’t have time to be nervous around goal. Some players maybe are, but in my career I have scored a lot – especially when I was at Hamburg.”

“I have missed chances of course, but I am comfortable and confident when I shoot.”