Rafael Van der Vaart has said that the Tottenham team he played in was one of the best units he had been part of in his career and admitted that he wishes he had not left the North London club when he did.
If you ask Spurs fans to name the best Tottenham side they have watched in the modern era, many will point to the 2016-17 team under Mauricio Pochettino.
However, you could just as easily make an argument for the 2011-12 side under Harry Redknapp as the side that played the best football.
Van der Vaart was part of an impressive midfield trio that consisted of Luka Modric and Scott Parker, with the pace and directness of Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale out wide.
Club legend Ledley King marshalled the Lilywhites’ backline while they had the solid Beniot Assou-Ekotto at left-back and a young and energetic Kyle Walker on the other flank.
Just a couple of days ago, Modric admitted that he has very fond memories of being part of that Spurs side, insisting that they “played the most beautiful football in England” (Optus Sport).
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Van der Vaart regrets leaving Tottenham so soon
Van der Vaart, who was part of a Real Madrid side filled with superstars and a star-studded Netherlands national side, has now admitted that the Tottenham team was up there with the best.
The Dutchman told the Spurs official website: “Our team was one of the best teams I played in. I had an interview the other day and I was talking about Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Ledley King, there were so many names I almost forgot the likes of Scotty Parker, Emmanuel Adebayor, Aaron Lennon, Crouchy, Jermain Defoe, I could continue.
“We were so unlucky we didn’t win something. I left too soon, and I still regret that, it was the worst decision I ever made, but that’s how it is. I always said that when I went on the pitch, I gave everything I had, and I wanted to give the people something special.
“I tried to do that. I had some good days, some bad days – that’s football – but what I can say to the fans is that I always played with so much pride for this team. I always say this was the most special time of my career.”
Spurs Web Opinion
That Tottenham side was an absolute joy to watch as we controlled nearly every game that we played, thanks to the brilliance of Parker and Modric in the middle.
However, that team perhaps lacked the know-how and the winning mentality of some of their rivals at the time, which is why we had a mini collapse towards the end of the 2011-12 season and ended up finishing fourth, which cost Harry Redknapp his job.
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