Tottenham’s signing of Dutch centre-back Micky van de Ven last summer has proven to be a masterstroke, with the defender making a remarkable impression in the Premier League.
Van de Ven, secured from Wolfsburg for a hefty fee of €40 million, has exceeded expectations with his performances, earning admiration from fans and pundits alike.
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson didn’t hold back in his praise for the young defender, hailing him as one of the top centre-backs in the world.
Merson also lauded Spurs’ exciting style of play, singling out Van de Ven for special recognition.
He said (quotes via TBR):
“My thoughts on Spurs this season? I have to say I think they’ve been outstanding. Loved watching them, great the way they play, a bit gung-ho, but for the neutral, great football.
Plenty of good players. Micky Van de Ven is outstanding, he’s one of the top centre-halves in the country, without a doubt, I’d go as far as to say in the world he’s one of the top ones, a brilliant player,”
The 22-year-old’s exceptional speed was highlighted with him recording the fastest sprint among all Premier League players, clocking in at an impressive 37.38 km/h during a match against Brentford in February.
Van de Ven has been a regular feature in Ange Postecoglou’s teamsheet, starting in 21 out of 22 league games he has been available for this season.
In what was shaping up to be a flawless debut campaign, the young centre-back had a shocking performance in the Lilywhites’ recent 4-0 loss against Newcastle.
He will aim to recover from the setback in upcoming games.
While every player has off days, Van de Ven’s impact at Spurs has been undeniable, solidifying his status as one of the signings of the season and a key asset for Tottenham’s future.
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