21 March 2007, by Sean Gillen

Happy Rocha desperate to succeed at Tottenham

Pedro Mendes’ praise for London club

Tottenham Hotspur defender Ricardo Rocha has admitted he is desperate to succeed in the Premiership and says he has settled quickly off the field since his January move to England.

Rocha made the switch from Lisbon giants Benfica during the last transfer window, and after an edgy start to life at White Hart Lane, has now began to make an impression for the London club.

“It’s very important for me to be a success because I have long dreamed of playing in the Premiership and playing for a big club like Tottenham,” Rocha told Ham & High Sport.

“The pace of the game here is very fast - you can’t rest. Everyone gives 100 per cent. The game is different to see and to play.”

“I will work very hard but the most important thing is the team and the results for the team. It is most important to win whether with me in the side or another player.”

Smitten with London

“London is a fantastic city,” he added. “English is a language I have always loved and that has helped me settle in quickly. Everyone is supporting me at different levels, personal and professional.”

Rocha’s is the latest example of Portuguese players making the switch to English football, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Valente and Manuel Fernandes already plying their trade in the Premier League.

“They are all my friends from the national team,” Rocha said of his countrymen. “I spoke to Pedro Mendes about Tottenham and he told me this is the place to be.”

“Playing in the Premiership is a dream for me and everyone in Portugal watches the Premiership.”