Diego could be answer to Tottenhamâ™s prayers

Santos had hoped to keep their star players but the precarious financial situation of domestic football in Brazil has meant the title-winning team is already having to be sold off.

And with Tottenham lacking strength on the left side of midfield, Diego could solve many of their problems. He has a deliciously precise pass, good vision and has been described as a future Zinedine Zidane. Although small, he is tough and has a strong personality on the pitch. He is not intimidated by rough defenders but he does, however, frustrate his coach and fans with occasional selfish dribbling sprees when other team-mates are unmarked.

Born Diego Ribas da Cunha in Ribeirao Preto, one of the most prosperous cities in Brazil, the footballer was meant to be called Diogo, but his father, Djair, changed his mind at the last moment. In no way is the name a tribute to his namesake Maradona.

Unlike most Brazilian footballers, Diego was not born into poverty. Djair is a successful businessman and now acts as his son’s agent. When Diego was 12 he moved to Santos to train to be a footballer and for his 16th birthday his father bought him a house in Santos in which to live.

Tottenham will be lucky to have signed a player who is well known to Europe’s most successful clubs. When Diego was 15, Real Madrid’s head of football Jorge Valdano sent an emissary to Brazil to see him play.

Diego has played at every junior level for Brazil and was called up by national coach Carlos Alberto Parreira this year for a friendly against Mexico, coming on as a substitute.

He impressed as one of the Under-23s in this summer’s Gold Cup, in which Brazil were runners-up to a senior Mexico side. He is likely to be a crucial member of the Under-23 team that Brazil will send to next year’s Olympics in Athens.

Tostao, who played in the legendary 1970 Brazil team and is now a leading commentator, praised Diego as one of Brazil’s greatest finds. But he feels Diego is not quite ready for Europe.

“He is excellent, but there is room for improvement,” he said. “If I were him I’d stay longer in Brazil. He is still in an embryonic state.

“Diego plays in the position of Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Zidane — but is slightly different from them. The great players in this position are noted more for their creativity and intelligence than their skill. Diego is very skillful but he doesn’t yet have the creativity of the great players of this position. Maybe one day he will.”

Maybe he will at White Hart Lane.