It's always fantastic with Spurs: Rafael van der Vaart

Dutch international and former Galactico Rafael van der Vaart talks about shift to EPL and how he finds himself at home in London.

How does playing in the English Premier League compare with what you were used to in Spain?
It’s harder. The pace of the game is harder and so is the way the teams play. In Spain, it’s more of football skills. Here you play against teams like Stoke, Blackburn, hard teams, strong teams, long balls and you have to get used to it, but it’s getting better and better. The space is there, it depends on how you play. This team fits me really good because we want to build up.

When you joined Spurs did you believe they were capable of mounting a title challenge?
I always felt that they will make it to top five. When I played for Madrid, I saw Tottenham play. It had great players and was a big squad. When I got here, great players like Niko Kranjcar aren’t even playing. We have one of the biggest squads in Europe. I saw the players and it’s special. We are more consistent now, that’s the main thing. Last season we dropped many points against the smaller teams.

Is the team’s mentality stronger, performances are more consistent?
I think it was also about playing in the Champions League for the first time. For me, it wasn’t the first time but for many players, it was. It’s really difficult to play on a Wednesday in the Bernabeu and then come home and, with all due respect, you play a smaller team. That was the most difficult thing. Now, I think we are much better.

How do Jose Mourinho and Harry Redknapp compare?
I only worked with Mourinho for one month and what I saw was a great manager. His tactical analysis was really good. I remember the first thing he said was ‘if you listen to me, you will win every game’. He’s a great manager. I had a great time there. For me coming to Spurs was a relief, doing this press conference in a little room, it’s a warm feeling. I feel good here.

Were you told much about Harry?
A little. I was in contact with Ruud Gullit and he’s good friends with Harry’s son and he said Harry is a great manager, nice man. For instance, when your family drops in, Harry chats with them. Everyone loves him. I think the whole of England does.

After leaving a club such as Real Madrid, are you happy here?
I’m always happy. It’s great what we do, a great job. Of course, you can’t be a bit player and have positive things, I lived the negatives as well, I was on the bench there, out of the squad and it makes you more like a man. In the end, I played a lot of games and to play for Madrid was always my dream. I’m thankful I played there. This is now a different story, the premier league, especially with this club in the top three, it’s always fantastic.

Is football more about enjoyment for you?
Every player is different. I have colleagues who only count winning. For me, I want to win, but I also want to enjoy my football. Last season when we played Arsenal the result was 3-3. We needed a win, Arsenal needed a win too, but at the end of the day, everyone saw a great match and went home happy. Of course, I prefer to win. It was a typical English game, the biggest game for the Tottenham fans and for anyone. I played against Barcelona for Madrid, that was something special, the biggest game in the world. I love to play big games. It makes you a bigger player.

Do you prefer playing in the middle off of the main striker?
I love to play central and I love to play in the midfield. That’s my favourite position and in this team, it’s possible and nice to play there. When the manager puts you on the right, you have to do it and I do my best. But one day it goes good, another day it is bad.

You didn’t have much time to settle when you first came as it was a last-minute transfer?
I always played when I was fit and I felt good, but for me it was hard… 90 minutes was a long time for me! It’s hard when you come from a totally different league. The way you are thinking about football is totally different from here. It was hard, but now I feel fit, strong and can play 90 minutes.

What are your ambitions?
My ambition is to win something with this club. It is a dream to be the EPL champions and also win the FA Cup. Every player needs titles, championships. I think it’s possible. I think this club can be bigger than anyone expected.

How do you look back at the World Cup Final?
The problem with Spain and even against Barcelona is, you are running behind the ball and it’s frustrating. It feels like you are not running. You give everything and it’s ‘tap, tap, tap, tap’ and they are gone again. A few tackles were late and it’s not good because that’s not our game. But when you reach a final, you want to win, no matter what.

Dutch international and former Galactico Rafael van der Vaart talks about shift to EPL and how he finds himself at home in London.

Will you stay at Spurs now?
I’m only 29. I’ve two years to go. I’m happy, my family is happy and that’s important. I like the league. Why not?

Which playmakers do you admire?
I played against David Silva when he was at Valencia and already saw that he was one of the best playmakers in the league. That’s our biggest threat. He plays between the lines, can score, can give the killer ball. A great player.