‘Nothing special’ - Former Tottenham midfielder not convinced by new signing

Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rafael Van de Vaart, in typical Dutchman fashion, has not held back when it comes to his views on new big money signing Dominic Solanke.

The 41-year old has suggested that Spurs overpaid for Solanke, and that this is a linear trend when it comes to the English game.

The striker became Spurs' record signing over the summer, overtaking the previous biggest buy of Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon back in 2019. Let's all hope, and pray, that that is not any kind of omen and sign of things to come.

Speaking to Metro, Van der Vaart said:

"I have a lot of problems with the money these days, especially in England. For really, really normal players, you guys pay 50, 60 million pounds. It is unbelievable. So when I see a transfer for that money, I already think it is unwise. Because I don’t believe Solanke gets 40 goals. For that money that is what you should be looking for. It is too much for a normal player."

"Players in England playing for smaller teams going to bigger teams for crazy money is not wise. But it is what happens and we have to wait and see how they perform. I also knew Dominic when he played for Vitesse [on loan from Chelsea], I thought ok, good player, but nothing special."

‘Nothing special’ - Former Tottenham midfielder not convinced by new signing

These particular comments feel a little harsh. It is not Solanke's, nor Spurs' fault that the going rate for players is more than it used to be, even when adjusted for inflation. Someone who scores 40 goals does not cost £65 million in today's game, they would cost much closer to £100m for that sort of production.

It also feels harsh to reference a loan spell (at Vitesse) that happened nine years ago, when Solanke was 18 years old. The striker is a better player than he was two years ago, never mind looking back at nearly a decade back.

People would do well to remember that Solanke has played two games for Spurs, not a dozen. Let's hope he uses the critics as motivation to start firing for Spurs.