You again! Van der Vaart shares a moment with referee Howard Webb, who officiated the controversial - and sometimes brutal - World Cup final between Holland and Spain in the summerHarry Redknapp could hardly contain his excitement, having finally seen Rafael van der Vaart in a Tottenham shirt.
The Dutch import from Real Madrid showed exactly why he once played for the world's biggest club, ghosting into positions that totally confused West Bromwich Albion in Saturday's 1-1 draw.
Redknapp foresees the playmaker doing for Spurs what Wayne Rooney does for England - creating a hatful of goals for Defoe, when the striker returns in 12 weeks after his ankle operation.
Indeed, it was from the debutant's cross that Luka Modric benefited. Before he tired, Van der Vaart gave a peerless, virtuoso display.
Redknapp said: 'That position suits him.You always need special players that can make a difference. Van der Vaart can do that. Defoe gives us something else, with his sharpness around the box. Jermain's a goalscorer. I could see him playing with Van der Vaart like he plays with Rooney. Van der Vaart can drop deep and slide little balls in for him to score.'
Real deal: Van der Vaart was all over the pitch for Spurs in an influential display at West BromRedknapp is likely to play Van der Vaart against Werder Bremen in their Champions League clash on Tuesday night after Modric left the Hawthorns on Saturday evening with his left leg covered by a plastic cast.
The leg, however, is not broken and he will travel to Germany where he will be further assessed. The Croatian only had himself to blame as he picked up the knock with a clumsy challenge on Gonzalo Jara after giving Spurs the lead.
'Modric makes the difference,' said Redknapp. 'He could play in any team, anywhere in the world. When you lose him, you can't replace him.'
Redknapp chose to rest Ledley King and he should be fit to board the plane for Germany, while William Gallas recovered from a shaky first hour to come through by the final whistle.
Redknapp has no worries about Van der Vaart, who said: 'This is a great team. I feel at home.'
EUROWATCH - Werder Bremen, who host Spurs in the Champions League on Tuesday, achieved a 0-0 draw at Bayern Munich on Saturday without defenders Naldo, Per Mertesacker and striker Claudio Pizarro, all injured.
source: dailymail
