Rafael van der Vaart moved to FC Midtjylland in the summer, after a poor spell back in Spain with Real Betis.
He’s keen to do well, and shared some frustration at the weekend having been brought off after an hour. Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf follow the player’s career closely and they reckon he was angry after the match.
The manager’s decision seems to have worked and Midtjylland scored in the 75th minute to beat OB 1-0.
Van der Vaart is now 33 years of age, so him coming off after an hour isn’t so surprising… especially when it’s considered that’s been the pattern for much of the player’s career.
During the player’s 2 year Tottenham career, he was taken off the pitch either on or before 70 minutes on 30 occasions. It was the same pattern at Hamburg and Real Madrid, and happened in all of the four games he started for Real Betis.
Midtjylland are a new lower level for Van der Vaart, but it would be strange if he’s suddenly developed a third lung and the pattern of his career can be changed.
The Dutch footballer is always keen to do well, and that shone through at Tottenham and was often the reason he had to come off, absolutely shattered, but perhaps he needs to expect less of his body at this stage of his career.
