Tottenham: Micky van de Ven can only get better after Virgil van Dijk comparisons
Micky van de Ven has become one of the standout stars for Tottenham this season and only looks like improving after being compared to Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk.
Still just 22 years old, the defender has already established himself as one of the most important players in Ange Postecoglou’s team and shows signs of getting better every week.
Having missed 11 games through injury this season after suffering a hamstring blow, playing just 20 of 31 so far, concern may grow about his fitness, but if he can stay fully fit he will continue to improve.
Jamie Redknapp insisted that Van de Ven is already better than Virgil van Dijk was at his age, hinting the Spurs man could even overtake the Liverpool star in the future.
Speaking on Sky Sports [as shared on X, 7 April], Redknapp shared: “I think this guy has got everything going for him. You could see the difference when Spurs lost him and he had his hamstring injuries.
“If he stays injury-free, there’s no reason he can’t almost emulate what Virgil Van Dijk does. When Virgil was a similar age, he wasn’t producing the performances that he is right now. As long as he doesn’t get too many injuries along the way, he’s a top player.”
Micky Van de Ven shines for Tottenham this season
Having started all 20 of his 20 appearances in the Premier League this season, it is clear how much Postecoglou relies on the Dutchman the marshall his defensive unit.
That responsibility is made clear by his average of 2.0 tackles, 5.8 recoveries and 2.7 clearances per game, while he is only dribbled past an average of 0.3 times per game, proving how difficult he is to beat in one-on-one situations. [Sofascore]
An average of 4.7 duels won per game is elevated by his 62 per cent duel success rate which rises to 68 per cent in ground duels, further displaying how he wins the majority of battles.
Van de Ven’s confidence in possession is also a huge part of his game and is illustrated by his average of 78.5 touches per game and a 95 per cent pass accuracy, rising to 97 per cent when in his own half. The defender also averages a 66 per cent long pass accuracy.
That confidence building from the back and determination in defence has allowed Spurs to average 61.7 per cent possession this season, and while the team’s defensive stats do not stand out due to Postecoglou’s gung-ho style of play, Van de Ven is one of the stars of the team.
If he can continue on his current trajectory, there’s no reason the defender cannot match Van Dijk’s achievements.
In other Tottenham news, a new Richarlison transfer claim has emerged.
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