Gabby Agbonlahor calls out 'shocking' Micky van de Ven after Tottenham contract development

Gabby Agbonlahor has not been impressed with Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven recently.

Roberto De Zerbi decided to name the Dutchman the club captain after Cristian Romero departed in the summer.

Many agreed with the Italian's decision, with the defender being one of Spurs' best players in the last three seasons.

Van de Ven saw several new centre-backs come to N17 in the summer, but has yet to make a strong partnership with any of them.

The Lilywhites currently sit rock bottom of the Premier League heading into the international break, and are yet to pick up a win.

The standards should be set by the captain, but Van de Ven is not doing enough for Tottenham right now, as Agbonlahor highlights his mistake against Aston Villa.

Gabby Agbonlahor says Micky van de Ven 'looks shocking'

As per FotMob data, van de Ven picked up a 6.1 rating for his poor performance in the 3-2 defeat to Villa.

He made just six defensive contributions, with one tackle, two blocks and clearances, but still let three goals in.

Spurs conceded an xG of 1.16, allowing 15 shots on goal, with six of them testing Antonin Kinsky.

Van de Ven had a zero per cent long ball accuracy, and despite having the most touches in the match with 93, he did little to nothing with the ball.

The 25-year-old had the highest speed recorded in the match with 20.0 miles per hour, but that only fuels Agbonlahor's argument after Nicolas Jackson's goal.

While speaking on talkSPORT on Wednesday, Agbonlahor slammed Van de Ven for his performance, suggesting it was nowhere near good enough for the money that he earns.

The former Villa man said: "Van de Ven, you're meant to be the top defender that clubs want; you signed a new long-term contract on big money.

"You might be quick, but when other strikers are quick, you've got to defend. He looks shocking for that goal. [It was] too easy for Jackson to score."

The Lilywhites concede an average of 1.25 goals per 90 when Van de Ven - who makes 7.25 defensive contributions per match, one of the lowest averages in the league for a centre-back - is on the pitch.

De Zerbi will be hoping for the defender to up his game soon.

Why van de Ven could be dropped by Roberto De Zerbi soon

Just because van de Ven is Tottenham's captain, it does not protect his place in the starting lineup.

Jan Paul van Hecke has been statistically better than his Dutch comrade so far this season, and his goal against Villa only added to his case to be starting.

However, Marcos Senesi didn't come to Spurs to sit on the bench all season.

De Zerbi clearly prefers a 4-2-3-1 formation, and so a double centre-back pairing will continue.

Perhaps the Tottenham boss will soon revisit playing Senesi and van Hecke together if van de Ven keeps underperforming.