Harry Redknapp has claimed that Adel Taarabt did not have enough desire to make the most of his talent but laughed off suggestions that the former Spurs midfielder had enough ability to win the Ballon d’Or.
Taarabt was considered as one of the best talents in French football when he arrived at Tottenham in 2017.
While his outstanding ability with the ball at his feet was plain to see from the second he stepped on to the pitch, the midfielder never really managed to have a run of games in the side during his time at White Hart Lane.
The Moroccan was loaned out to Queens Park Rangers just a few months after Redknapp arrived at Spurs and eventually completed a permanent move to the R’s in 2010.
He looked like he was starting to fulfil his potential at Loftus Road, helping QPR achieve promotion to the Premier League but eventually lost his place in the side.
Taarabt has since had loan spells at AC Milan, Fulham and Genoa with varying degrees of success but now appears to be settled at Benfica.
When asked if the former Spurs man had enough talent to win the Ballon d’Or, Redknapp told Pianeta Milan: “Winning the Ballon d’Or? He wasn’t that strong. (Redknapp laughs).
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“Adel is not a bad boy, but he never tried enough to become that great player he could have become with that amazing talent he had.
“Adel had great talent, but little desire.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Most Spurs fans who saw Adel Taarabt play will agree that he was arguably more skilled with the ball at his feet than almost any other player in our modern era. However, his disappointing career trajectory shows that it takes so much more than just natural ability to make it as a real top player.
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