Jol admits Kuyt admiration

Tottenham manager Martin Jol has spoken of his admiration for Dirk Kuyt.

Kuyt grabbed his first goal for Liverpool at Anfield in midweek against Newcastle, with his early success in England no surprise to compatriot Jol.

The 26-year-old arrived on Merseyside in the summer from Feyenoord in a £10 million deal but had circumstances transpired differently he could have ended up at White Hart Lane.

Jol was eager to bring the striker to North London and although he missed out, the Dutch tactician has been unstinting in his praise.

"I said last year, when nobody knew him, that he was a '20-20' player - 20 goals and 20 assists a season," said Jol.

"In Europe there is maybe no-one else who is a '20-20' player.

"We came very close to signing him and everybody knows him now. He is the best character you can have. He works, he can head the ball, he can score goals - not like David Ginola or even Robbie Keane - but he is so functional in his way.

"He never loses a ball and is a 100 percent team player. He is different. He has got strength as well. He is not only a gifted forward - he's an all-rounder.

"He moves well and his fitness levels are unbelievable. He makes things look simple but that is his strength.

"Kuyt is not unique but he works so hard that he is capable of doing everything. He can link-up, he can play high-up and he is a box player who can play on either flank.

"For Utrecht he played on the right side and for Holland he is playing on the left. He is such a versatile player."

While Kuyt is quickly establishing himself as a class act in The Premiership, Tottenham's own strikeforce have yet to find best form thus far.

Jol admits that neither Mido nor Dimitar Berbatov have yet had opportunity to demonstrate their true quality, with the latter having struggled with injury.

"You have to be realistic," said Jol. "Mido came over here a few weeks ago and had not played any matches apart from maybe one full match for Roma in the whole of his preparation,

"Then he came to us. Berbatov has been injured and Mido played three matches in seven days. The third match against Fulham was especially hard for him because, while he looks fit, it doesn't mean he is.

"Mido is a box player and, if he gets the right crosses, he will make a few."