Podolski in, van der Vaart out. Okay, only half of that equation is assured, but allow me to be a wee bit dramatic.
You already knew about the agreement for Podolski to leave the Bundesliga to join the Gunners in the next transfer period. And you may have heard speculation about van der Vaart leaving Spurs. Actually, I think it might be more than speculation. I am not going to throw jibber-jabber around like, “my sources tell me…”, or “according to people I know within the organization…” – if I ever do in the future, please, put me out of my misery. But there is something about this van der Vaart rumour that has me buying into its potential.
First, let ‘s be clear that a deal to send Raf to Germany would be anything but easy, and I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s very plausible. He is still under contract with Tottenham, and it is unlikely the Spurs will want to lose a key piece to their roster seeing as how they were a point off of third-place Arsenal, and a Schweinsteiger miss/Cech stop, away from Champions League football again. There is also the fact that Schalke, the German side who have openly expressed interest in the Dutch international, would have to pay a mighty transfer fee that it might not be able to afford. Oh, and then there is the fact that van der Vaart himself said that he is happy to stay in England, blah, blah, blah. What else would he say!
So then what about this rumor makes sense?
First, van der Vaart has fond memories of his time in the Bundesliga, particularly with former club, Hamburg. He had a strong relationship with then coach, Huub Stevens, who just happens to be coaching Schalke now. Perhaps more importantly, Schalke finished 3rd in the Bundesliga, and will be playing in the Champions League. Spurs on the other hand, will be watching from their televisions. The attacking mid, or forward, depending if you ask him or his coaches, might just want to line himself up for more Champions League play. While only 29, which is not “old” for top-flight football, let’s just say the big 3-0 is a warning sign for many. Before you bite my head off, I want to be clear, I am not saying he’s done. I recognize he has a lot left, whether I like him or not.
But Raf and Podolski aren’t the only “big” exchanges between the Bundesliga and the teams from North London. During last summer’s transfer window, the Gunners made a move to bolster its struggling defence in the form of 8’ tall (give or take) Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen. A mid-season injury halted the lanky defensive-centre’s progress at the Emirates under Wenger’s watchful eye.
I’m not going out on any ledge when I say that the Bundesliga has a style of play as similar to the Premier League than any other of the big leagues from France, Italy, Spain, and anywhere else. For that reason it only makes sense to continue inter-league dealings between the Bundesliga and Premiership. Players who exchange between the two clubs have less transition. On the other hand, if you can play football, you can play football.
…until tomorrow, lads.
