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Meeting the new boss: Rafael van der Vaart with
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp
Rafael van der Vaart claims he can help Tottenham finish
above arch-rivals Arsenal this season. Spurs have been
in the shadow of their north London neighbours for the best part of
two decades. But transfer deadline-day signing Van der Vaart
believes he can inspire his new side to turn the tables on them
this term.
'Why not?' said the 27-year-old Holland midfielder, who was
officially unveiled this afternoon after training with his
team-mates for the first time.
'Arsenal have a great team also with a lot of young players but
our squad is not worse than Arsenal's. 'I think we will have a
chance to win against them and also, over the season, we can try to
beat them.'
Rivals: Robin van Persie (third left) and Rafael
van der Vaart (second right) will line-up against one another at
the Emirates on November 20
Van der Vaart cannot wait to put his theory to the test
in the north London derby, which could see him come up against
Holland team-mate Robin van Persie.
'I already spoke with Robin and he said it is the greatest derby
in the world,' Van der Vaart said. 'I'm looking forward
to playing in the derby.'
As well as trying to topple Arsenal, the midfielder admitted he
had something to prove to Real Madrid, who let him go for what
seemed a bargain £8million on transfer deadline day.
Asked if he was keen to prove them wrong, he said: 'Yes, maybe.
I hope. It would be a dream to win something with Tottenham.
Settling in: Van der Vaart joined the likes of
Peter Crouch, Sandro, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Wilson Palacios in
training at Spurs Lodge
But the move to Tottenham would seem to be the perfect
fit for club and player. 'For me the most important thing will be
to enjoy my football and to win something with this club. I don't
want to look back at Real Madrid. For me that's in the past. Now I
want to play.'
Van der Vaart was confident his best years were still ahead of
him and revealed he hoped to make a similar impact in England to
Dennis Bergkamp.
'For me, he is a real number 10, midfield, striker, in between,'
said Van der Vaart, whose preferred position is also in the hole.
He is like an idol for me.'
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp swooped for Van der Vaart in the dying
moments of the transfer window in a deal that was not ratified
until the following afternoon.
Van der Vaart revealed he had only '10 minutes' to make up his
mind to move to White Hart Lane.
Interest: Sylvie van der Vaart
He added: 'I was calling my wife and I said, "We are
going to London". She was a little bit shocked. But at the end, she
was also happy and I was also happy.'
Van der Vaart's wife Sylvie is a Dutch model and television
personality and she sparked just as much interest at his unveiling
today as her husband.
'Of course my wife is famous, perhaps more famous than I am!'
joked Van der Vaart when asked if he was prepared for her to be
followed by the paparazzi.
'But we can handle that. We love to be in England; I think it's
a great country. I always wanted to play in England.
Van der Vaart grew up on a caravan site and credits his
upbringing for the determination he brings to his game.
'For me, it helped me because I was like a street fighter,' he
said.
'You have to fight for your place.'
But, like many of his compatriots, he also has a reputation of
being outspoken.
Asked if he could be a troublemaker, he said: 'No, no, no, no.
I'm a nice guy.'