Will Van Der Vaart Be Considered a Club Legend?

[Jack2]

VdV was and is a great player, but IMO he is not a club legend. You really need to spend far more years in the club with good, solid performances or give many really great and phenomenon performances in a short time (like Klinsmann) to be a legend. Unfortunately IMO VdV didn't do either.

 

[mil1lion]

Not for me. Probably because of the quality of players around him more than his own performance.

Klinsmann's first stint at Spurs made him a legend. He was exciting, he scored and he was a cut above all those around him.

Ginola was one of the most skillful players I've ever seen. This was accentuated through playing alongside a workhorse midfield.

Berbatov had the sort of arrogance on the ball that few players can have and like Klinsmann, though not as good, Berbatov was a higher level to the attacking players around him.

VDV was in the same midfield as Modric and Bale. VDV worked hard, scored goals and had a great attitude.

The difference for me is the 1st three players mentionned were a shining light in a team that wasn't that great whereas VDV had his light stolen at times by the quality around him.

I don't get this, so you hold it against VDV because he had great players around him?

 

[mil1lion]

At which club?

It's in Spurs chat so you work it out

 

[Dougal]

It's in Spurs chat so you work it out

Good point. No. Extremely talented player. Nice bloke. Should have scored some freekicks.

 

[guiltyparty]

Not for me. I don't consider Klinsmann a legend either, tho. One and a half good seasons does not make a legend

Both great players that we were incredibly lucky to see in the flesh and in our colours. But legend is bandied about way too much for my liking

Annoys me almost as much as people saying that Huddlestone is our best passer since Hoddle (clue: he blatantly isn't)

 

[dontcallme]

I don't get this, so you hold it against VDV because he had great players around him?

I don't hold it against him at all. I'm talking about what sticks in the mind.

I remember watching Ginola. His skill was sublime, his goals against Leeds and Barnsley really stick in my mind. If those moments were part of a great team and others around himwere doing similar things then for me Ginola's impact would have been lessened through no fault of his own.

Klinsmann was another one. He was so far ahead of the other strikers around him that he sticks in the mind more.

When I think of the time VDV was here the first image to come to my mind is Bale's hat-trick against Inter. I remember our first leg against AC Milan. VDV's moments sort of mix into the rest of the memories.

Not his fault and doesn't lessen his impact as a player but in 5 years time I won't remember VDV moments anymore than Bale's or Modric's.

 

[Wirral Spurs]

No but he will remind me of the time when we had a great team.

 

[Grapo2001]

A club legend in two years who didn't lift a trophy? No way. A legend has to be hear for 5 years + imo

 

[chiversandgilzean]

He is for me.

 

[guns_healy]

I loved rafa at the lane but calling him a true legend is another prime example of mis using the word legend

 

[Mr Pink]

Not a legend, but certainly one of my favourites.

I suspect had he played out his career here, he could well of been though. In fact I'm sure he would of been.

 

[hodsgod]

Amazing, legend status in two seasons. We seem to be devaluing the term if VDV is a legend.

What about Steve Perryman, Glenn Hoddle, Dave McKay, Danny Blanchflower, Arthur Rowe, Bill Nicholson, Jimmy Greaves etc. These are all legends for some reason or another, along with many others.

VDV has been my favourite player while he was at the club, always dangerous, great on the ball etc, a very very good player, but not legendary status in my opinion.

 

[chinaman]

He certainly is.

 

[Lachster the Yid]

The word legend can not be so widely used. Was he a great player and big name signing - yes...

Did we love having him and did we witness some great performances - yes of course

In 50 years will the history books show him to have been a legend - no

Is he Billy Nic, Dave Mackey, Steve Perryman or Ledley King - No

 

[StockSpur]

This was clearly a stepping stone, 2 seasons, mostly unfit, mostly pictured on holiday with his missus.

 

[Gbspurs]

Some great memories from his time with us, fantastic goals coring record and ofcourse that champions league campaign. Gonna miss him that's for sure.

 

[Wsussexspur]

Not for me will be fondly remembered as a good player but not a legend.

 

[tototoner]

This was clearly a stepping stone, 2 seasons, mostly unfit, mostly pictured on holiday with his missus.

wrong on so many levels

He played more league games for us last season than at any other time in his career and his goals per game tally was up there with his very best season at Ajax and Hamburg. ( at Tottenham played 2 seasons 78 games 28 goals )

A part of me is glad he has moved on as some Tottenham fans clearly under appreciated and under valued him , they will not at Hamburg where he is a legend ( Played 3 seasons 112 games 48 goals )

Will be a long time before we have another goalscoring midfielder with stats like that - and I don't even know how many assists he had but I am sure there were a few, maybe Dembele can step up to the plate - I hope so

But not to worry we signed Sigurdsson to replace him and still have Bentley.

 

[Hot-Spur]

Probably not a legend but this is the most upset I've been about selling a player for a long time. Saddest thing for me is he never won anything with us and he never got a proper chance to say goodbye

 

[Riandor]

Favourite player since berbatov...

For me VdV is the kind of player who belongs at Spurs, or who Spurs crave to have, either way round. Attitude, personality, great skill and wonderful commitment.

Injuries were an issue for sure, but hey, if that hadn't been the case he might have even stayed longer at RM.

Legend? Could have been. Win us a cup, or stay out his contract for example and it is likely there would have been no question.

But for me the answer is sadly no. He had to leave for personal reasons and I do not begrudge him that one bit, though I am very sad that he had to go.

But to maintain legend as a word describing Spurs's greatest players and servants, one has to say no to VdV and quite possibly Klinsmann.

Though in Klinsmann's case you could argue he single handedly salvaged the club when we were close to relegation level of players.