Chelsea turns down chance to sign star midfielder Van der Vaart

LONDON - Chelsea has turned down the chance to sign star midfielder Rafael van der Vaart in the summer on the grounds that he was not good enough.

The club hey rejected a 10 million pounds deal and instead spent 24 million pounds on Yossi Benayoun and Ramires.

Van der Vaart instead joined Tottenham for eight million pounds and has been an instant hit with 10 goals so far this season, The Sun reports.

A Chelsea insider revealed: “We had a call to say Jose Mourinho was ready to let Van der Vaart leave Real Madrid for around 10 million pounds and did we want him.

“But it was decided he wasn’t good enough so we passed on him. That’s not looking the best of decisions is it?”

Ramires and Benayoun have both failed to make any significant impact. Israeli Benayoun, 30, has managed six games having been sidelined since September with a ruptured Achilles.

Brazilian Ramires, 23, has struggled to come to terms with the pace and power of the Premier League.

“Van der Vaart is just the sort of player we need - someone with flair, skill and vision. Our midfielders are too alike - they are strong and powerful, good athletes but not with a great deal of invention,” the insider said. (ANI)