Will Van the Man prove a success at Hamburg?

Ruud Van Nistelrooy has joined Bundesliga side Hamburg to extend his career at the top level of football. Despite reported interest from the Premier League, he has decided to try his luck in Germany instead.

First Team

At 33 years-old the Dutch striker is not getting any younger but after a few injury-hit seasons at Real Madrid he is surely hoping to play regular first team football again in Hamburg.

His chances of getting regular first team football are certainly greater at the HSH Nordbank Arena then they were at the Bernabeu.

Class

In his pomp Van Nistelrooy was one of the most lethal finishers on the planet. He was simply unstoppable at times playing for Manchester United and in his first season for Spanish giants Real Madrid.  He was also one of the first names on the team sheet for his country Holland at international level.

While in England he won PFA Players Player of the Year and scored 95 goals for the Red Devils in just 150 games. His record of 46 goals in 68 appearances for Real Madrid was also very impressive. A career goal tally of 326 is nothing short of remarkable for a player with a history of injuries.

Although always a penalty box poacher, he also holds the ball up superbly and has now adapted his game according to his age and mobility.

Injuries

Van Nistelrooy has endured horrendous injury problems during his career. In 2000 just a few days before he was due to sign for Manchester United he suffered ruptured cruciate knee ligaments while training with PSV Eindhoven and his dreams of a move to the Premier League were temporarily dashed. Luckily though United returned the following April to snap up the Dutch star and were mighty glad they did.

However in recent years his career has been blighted by more injuries and his last full season for Real was wrecked by niggles. The 33 year-old has been prolific at every club he’s been at and I can only imagine how many he would have scored had he had better luck with injuries and fitness.

World Cup

Despite having retired twice from international football Van Nistelrooy is hoping to go to this summer’s World Cup. He has revealed that he hopes to receives a call from Dutch head coach Bert Van Marwijk. It could be a tall order for the veteran striker, as Holland won all of their games in qualification for the World Cup and looked impressive.

Needed

Hamburg are a team in need of a natural goalscorer. They lost star striker Ivica Olic to Bayern Munich in the summer and replaced him with young Swedish striker Marcus Berg. The 23 year-old has shown great promise but hasn’t found the net on the regular basis needed for Hamburg to really scare their rivals.

Van Nistelrooy could provide Hamburg with that extra bit of composure in front of goal needed. Hamburg are well placed in the Bundesliga table and could still challenge for the league title. Maybe Van Nistelrooy could be just the extra stark that the club need to go all the way this season.

Standard

A fully-fit Van Nistelrooy is a top player and with all due respect to the Bundesliga, it’s not of the same standard as La Liga. He may well get more chances in the Bundesliga than he would in La Liga and if he gets the chances I’m sure he will take them. His ability to be in the right place at the right time will serve him well in Bundesliga. If he does prove a success, then he may just get that plane ticket for South Africa he desires.