‘I like to watch him’ – Van der Vaart urges Spurs forward to snub January exit

Rafael Van der Vaart has urged Tottenham winger Steve Bergwijn not to leave the club in January amidst links with a return to the Netherlands with Ajax. 

The 24-year-old has struggled to adapt to life at Spurs since joining the club in January 2020, with just four goals and nine assists in 62 appearances so far. 

Bergwijn has been used sparingly since Antonio Conte’s arrival in North London and with the January transfer window around the corner and the prospects of selection for the Dutch World Cup squad fast approaching, an exit could well be on the cards. 

Reports back in Bergwijn’s native Netherlands have suggested Ajax are looking to step up their pursuit of the winger, with director Marc Overmars on the lookout for options to bolster Erik ten Hag’s squad. 

However, former Spurs midfielder Van der Vaart has issued a warning to Bergwijn amidst links of a move to the reigning Eredivisie champions, and questions whether it would be beneficial for him with plenty of forward options vowing for a place in the line-up. 

Speaking to Ziggo Sport Voetbal, he said: “He [Bergwijn] is a wonderful player. I like to watch him.

“The last time he did a great job with the Dutch national team. You can never guarantee a player that he will play, but if you bring Bergwijn from Tottenham to Ajax, he has to play. 

“The next question is then only where he will play? You have Tadić in his position and on the right you have Antony and Berghuis, so they only get Bergwijn because Haller is going to the Africa Cup [of Nations] for a month. I don’t think Bergwijn should want that.

“From Ajax’s perspective I understand it, but I wouldn’t think it wise for Bergwijn. He still plays regularly at Tottenham and if you go to Ajax and then sit on the bench in the Dutch competition, that is not good for your career.

“That wouldn’t be better for him. He also occasionally plays at Tottenham, so let him sit there.”

Spurs Web Opinion 

The Bergwijn transfer has been disappointing, to say the least, especially as he arrived with such promise from PSV Eindhoven.

It does seem like a move back to the Netherlands is on the cards for him, but ultimately it is down to Conte and whether he views him as part of his future plans. 

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