Redknapp hails Henry legacy

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp says Thierry Henry is ‘one of the great players in the history of the Premier League’.

The ex-World Cup, European championship and Premier League-winning striker looks set to seal a two-month loan deal with former club Arsenal from current side New York Red Bulls during the MLS off-season.

Redknapp is certain the former Gunner will be a quality signing for Arsene Wenger, and suggested the 34-year-old will have a big impact both on and off-the-pitch.

“It’s fantastic for them,” Redknapp said. “He is one of the great players in the history of the Premier League.”

“I’m sure he will be a good signing for Arsenal for a couple of months. He will be good to have around the place.”

“It’s important to have people like that around your club and in the dressing room. They’re good on the pitch and off it too. He is a top-class professional.”

Last season, David Beckham trained with Tottenham during his break from playing for LA Galaxy, but the Premier League side were unable to agree terms with the Californian outfit to enable the former Manchester United winger to play at White Hart Lane.

Redknapp has since hailed Beckham’s presence on the training ground, saying: “He was great here.”

“He was a class act to have around. I would have him back here tomorrow.”

“Everybody loved having him around. The boy loves football and he’s a great player.”

“He’s important to have around so the players can look at someone like that and see how he lives, how he behaves and how he trains.”

“No one with all the coaching in the world can match that. It can’t have done any harm to someone like Gareth Bale having David around.”

Bale is set to feature when Spurs travel to Swansea City on Saturday, having torn apart fellow newly promoted side Norwich City on Tuesday with his second-half brace.

His manager poured praise on the 22-year-old, saying: “He is a boy that thrives on confidence.”

“You would rather have the manager tell you how good you are than the other way around.”

“He is an amazing player. He has everything. He can run, shoot, head, dribble, score goals, make goals and you couldn’t meet a nicer boy either.”