Ottmar Hitzfeld backs Philippe Senderos' Everton transfer

Philippe Senderos, who has been capped 33 times for Switzerland, will be a success at new club Everton, claims the player's national team manager Ottmar Hitzfeld.

A highly-decorated manager in both Germany and Switzerland, Hitzfeld helped guarantee World Cup qualification for the Schweizer Nati, and will be monitoring Senderos' performances at Goodison Park after the defender was frozen out of first-team football at Arsenal, from whom he joined Everton on loan last week.

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His two appearances in the red-and-white of north London this season came as a stark contrast to the high regard in which he was held two to three years ago, when - as revealed in the Arsene Wenger biography by Xavier Rivoire Philippe - Tony Adams was consulted by Wenger regarding Senderos' suitability as club captain.

Hitzfeld, however, believes the switch to Everton will bring with it a period of success for the 24-year-old, and told the Liverpool Daily Post: "I usually do not cap players that do not play very regularly at their clubs. But with Philippe I have created some sort of exception – due to some exceptional facts – and he never disappointed when he was on the pitch.

"Of course, I was pleased when he moved to Everton," the cultured boss said.

"Philippe could have gone to Glasgow [Celtic] as well, it might even have been easier for him to install himself as a defender, but the fact that he has chosen a team which has got some very good defenders already shows me his sheer will to make up for anything he has been missing.

"He wants be in good shape when it comes to the FIFA World Cup 2010 in June."

Switzerland finished top of their qualification group after amassing 21 points from 10 fixtures, and have been drawn in a tricky World Cup finals group that includes European Champions Spain, Honduras and Chile.

Senderos' leadership, Hitzfeld feels, could be of crucial benefit to the nation when the tournament in South Africa kicks off.

"What are his strengths? First of all his personality. He is a true leader of any team. He is the one who opens his mouth not only during games, but also in training sessions.

"He simply is unable to accept defeats, he cannot lose. He’s very strong in the air, and he knows how to read the game.

"He is a great character both on the pitch and outside. He is not a person, he is personality."