Tottenham Hotspur face full-back dilemma with Micky van de Ven

Tottenham Hotspur have been playing some exceptional football under Ange Postecoglou last season, and the Australian gaffer is set to build on his highly aggressive attacking football setup this summer. 

One of the most important aspects of his game is the use of full-backs and how the former Celtic coach ensures that he squeezes all the lemons out of the two defensive flank positions. He not only pushes them on the defensive side of things but also ensures that they contribute to the attacking side of the game. 

Both full-backs contribute effectively on the attacking front, as they not only underlap but also overlap based on the in-game situation.

Destiny Udogie has been playing predominantly in Ange’s setup, and his ability to understand the situation and position himself effectively has greatly enhanced the team’s defensive stability and attacking prowess. 

Udogie’s destiny

Spurs signed the Italian ace in a €20 million transfer from Udinese in 2022. The club had to wait for a year before getting their hands on him, as he was immediately loaned back to the Italian side. 

It is fair to say that the patience at Hotspur Way paid off, as the 21-year-old has come in all guns blazing at White Hart Lane. He has had an exceptional impact on Spurs since the start of the season; he has not only fit into Ange’s attacking brand of football but also secured his place in the Spurs eleven for a long time to come.

While Spurs have a high-potential left back as their first choice, they have suffered greatly during his absence. Sergio Reguilon is not in plans at White Hart Lane, and Ben Davies is already on his way out of the N17. 

As Tottenham grow short on options at left-back, the position is one of the primary concerns going into the ongoing transfer window. The North Londoners are already looking to secure a high-potential backup to Udogie, who can not only push him but also ensure that no team quality is lost if Udogie is injured again.

Udogie’s backup or defensive anchor? Van de Ven’s new role at Spurs?

While Tottenham and Ange look for a new left-back, Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has given them a solution that can go a long way at Hotspur Way. 

The Netherlands have been using Lilywhites defender Micky van de Ven in a left-back role, and he has had some excellent outings for the Dutch side in the European Championship. 

This has sparked conversations about the possibility of having the former Wolfsburg defender in the left-back role at White Hart Lane. Now that would seem like an afterthought, but when you think about it, having him on the left can make sense. He not only brings defensive stability with an excellent recovery pace to track wingers, but he also has exceptional 1v1 abilities and aerial dominance to ensure solid defensive cover.

Micky also gives space to experiment tactically, as the Dutchman can play in an inverted role and on the outside. 

Moreover, this works out for Tottenham for the best as it gives Ange space to bring Radu Dragusin into the team. This would bring much-needed defensive stability to the defence at White Hart Lane.

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• Tottenham talks with Serie A club collapse as clubs fail to agree cut-price deal
• Tottenham Hotspur make contact to sign £50 million Ligue 1 talent this summer

While we need to see what Ange Postecoglou thinks about deploying his star defender on the left, this does give Tottenham fans hope that Micky van de Ven can provide either the solution or the cover that they desperately need at left-back. His versatile profile, complemented by his defensive prowess, could be exactly what the North Londoners need to shore up their defence and maintain their attacking force under Ange Postecoglou’s aggressive style of football.