Rafael van der Vaart threaten to 'walk away' from a Dutch television set after it was suggested that Timo Werner's strike against Zenit St Petersburg bore comparisons to Holland legend Robin van Persie.
The Chelsea forward showed glimpses of why the Blues shelled out £53million for him in 2020 on Wednesday night, scoring twice during Thomas Tuchel's side's 3-3 draw in Russia.
He struck after just 83 seconds on the night, before doubling his tally in the 85th minute having wriggled free of a couple of challenges before powering home.
The second finish left Dutch pundits in the Ziggo Sport studio purring, with one likening Werner's composure and movement inside the box to former Arsenal and Man United star Van Persie.
Yet that comparison irked ex-Spurs and Real Madrid midfielder Van Der Vaart. 'If you compare Werner with Van Persie one more time, I will walk away now,' he said.
Werner has struggled to emulate his RB Leipzig form that convinced Chelsea to splash out for the German, scoring 17 goals in 65 appearances for the Premier League title hopefuls.
Despite winning just one league title, Van Persie is regarded as a top flight legend, amassing 190 goals during his spells with the Gunners and Red Devils.
Van Der Vaart has not been afraid to make his views on modern day footballers known during his short career in the punditry studio.
He has regularly slammed United captain Harry Maguire, questioning why the English giants spent £80m on the former Leicester City man.
'When I go to see an amateur club on Sunday, I can find 3 players who can play like him,' he said during United's 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool.
'I mean that. It might be silly to say it but he won't hear it anyway. We are talking about a €90 million signing here. Then Van Dijk is worth €300 million.'
charitywale
349
Football has come a long way. This is a picture of a match between Chelsea and Charlton on December 25 1937. The match was stopped halfway as a result of bad weather. But the Chelsea goalkeeper Sam Batram never knew the game has ended, it was a police officer who came and inform him that the match ended 11 minutes ago...😅😅
BoyRolly
168
That’s how when I hear fans comparing Vinicius to Neymar I drop the conversation an leave 🙅♂️👋
Desmondeyum
126
This season for Timo Werner. 13 Apps. 7G/A .
Sahla_HDP
50
Can't be compared yet! Van Persie rise came, the older he got! Year by year, he became better! Werner is still writing his story! If he found the right path, he can be better one day!
Real_Sim
24
That’s how when I hear fans comparing Vinicius to Neymar I drop the conversation an leave 🙅♂️👋
vini is performing better than neymar so far but comparison is useless neymar is a legend
Rascdenoz
17
Football has come a long way. This is a picture of a match between Chelsea and Charlton on December 25 1937. The match was stopped halfway as a result of bad weather. But the Chelsea goalkeeper Sam Batram never knew the game has ended, it was a police officer who came and inform him that the match ended 11 minutes ago...😅😅
[image]
in the goal keepers mind he will be thinking, we are pressing them, they can't even coming close to our 18 yard box, this match will end in a clean sheet. Not knowing he is the only one left in the pitch
Javimor
10
That’s how when I hear fans comparing Vinicius to Neymar I drop the conversation an leave 🙅♂️👋
On current form vini is better than Neymar and every leceister city player