Rocha will be remembered for “that header”

By: Gary | May 27th, 2008

It is clear the White Hart Lane faithful have seen the last from Portuguese defender Ricardo Rocha.

Signed by Martin Jol back in January 2007, 18 appearances later, three bookings later and the former Benfica man looks like he’ll be heading back the same way he came from.

Rocha today told the media how he has never lost his love for Benfica, the club he made over 100 outings for between 2004 and 2007.

Looking back, it has been an unsuccessful spell to say the very least for Rocha in Spurs colours where he has failed to ever nail down a regualr starting slot, but how will he be remembered at the Lane as his departure looks imminent?

Most fans would tell you….”by that header”

It was, and unfortunately, it looks like “that header” against the Gunnerds will be Rocha’s first and last memory as a Tottenham player.

Former chief Jol handed Rocha his debut in the second leg of the Carling semi-final with north London rivals Arsenal at the Emirates. With the game tied at 1-1, Rocha inexplicably tried to head clear a cross which was travelling along the floor.

It was quite ridiculous and quite what Rocha was trying, we shall never know. It mystifies us even now.

It cost Spurs a goal and ultimately their dream of League Cup triumph. It is fortunate we can look back and just about laugh at the error now, although at the time it was crushing.

But, as far as Rocha was concerned it is fair to say “that header” moulded his Spurs career. He never settled into life at White Hart Lane from this moment on, and never really got any credit from the fans. It is a cruel game but big moments like that can make or break a player. This certainly broke Rocha.

A brief solid spell at left-back may have resurrected his time at Totetnham, marked by a fine display away at Middlesbrough in the midst of the end of season run-in for fifth spot, but I am afraid to say Rocha never really developed into the solid and reliable European experienced defender we all thought we had purchased.

An evening at the Emirates denied any chance for the Benfica boy to settle in, and his comments today confirmed we have seen the last of Rocha in Spurs colours.

It is now a case of when Rocha departs, rather than if. Yet to appear under the stewardship Juande Ramos, his summer sale was always inevitable but I think it is now written in stone.

Benfica beckons.

Good Luck Ricardo!! It just never worked out…