Rafael Van der Vaart: Dutch Ace Anticipating Premiership Challenge

Dutch ace Rafael Van der Vaart was recently rumoured to an exit from Real Madrid. The La Liga champions were reportedly offering the playmaker to Chelsea for a cut-price of £8 million.

The intelligent midfielder, who can also operate as a winger, has spoken about his desire to play for Chelsea earlier should Guus Hiddink prolong his stay in Stamford Bridge.

Van der Vaart was signed from Hamburg last summer in a deal worth around £11.5 million and was Real Madrid's biggest signing in that summer. He started his career in Spain well but has since seen his grip on the starting 11 loosen, especially after the arrival of new boss Juande Ramos.

The former Ajax skipper has played 27 games in La Liga, scoring only four goals and making five assists. That is nowhere near his average 19 goals per season and 20 goals per season tallies in the Eredivisie and Bundesliga, respectively.

Real Madrid are also believed to be ready to offload Van der Vaart to Arsenal, Liverpool, or Everton if Hiddink doesn't want to sign him.

Personally, I was really surprised to hear this. Not for he was transfer-listed; I'm gutted by the asking price of the Spanish giants.

It's true that he hasn't been at his very best in the past few months but Real's act was as if they were really desperate to sell one of the best players in the world, judging by their asking price for the playmaker.

It would be great if he comes to the English Premiership. I strongly believe many Chelsea fans out there would welcome him to the club. He could well be the replacement for Florent Malouda, whose future in Stamford Bridge is uncertain.

Van der Vaart might be mentally prepared to play in England, but is he physically prepared?

From what I saw during his days in Hamburg and international games, he is obviously not the tough guy. In fact, he has fallen down pretty easily at times.

So can he cope with the sturdy challenge from Premiership defenders? That's the issue his current league-mates often complain about. The Premiership is very physical and aggressive, very much different from La Liga or even Eredivisie and Bundesliga.

But nevertheless, Van der Vaart could shine in the Premiership. Robinho is a good example. He hasn't been the most consistent player this season but he sure is one of the best in the league, and he is doing that without much physical strength.

Do you think Rafael Van der Vaart will do well in the Premiership should a deal go through?