Jason Cundy rates Tottenham star Micky van de Ven over Liverpool ace Virgil van Dijk
Micky van de Ven is enjoying a sensational start to the new season under Thomas Frank. The Dutchman has been one of the first names on Tottenham’s team sheet, underlining his growing importance to the North London club. The 24-year-old has been instrumental in helping the Lilywhites record five clean sheets across all competitions so far this campaign — a testament to both his consistency and composure at the back.
The former Wolfsburg defender has been crucial at both ends of the pitch as well. Alongside Cristian Romero, Van de Ven has formed one of the strongest centre-back partnerships in the Premier League this season. Their solid understanding and commanding presence have provided Spurs with much-needed stability and defensive structure, an area that was often lacking in previous campaigns.
Beyond his defensive duties, Van de Ven has also shown a new dimension to his game under Frank. His decisive goal against West Ham United earlier in the season helped Tottenham secure all three points away from home, and he was arguably the standout performer on the pitch that day. The Dutchman’s development under Frank has been remarkable, reflecting the Danish manager’s ability to elevate individual performances through tactical clarity and confidence.
Tottenham star Micky van de Ven is among the league’s best defenders this season
Micky van de Ven’s rise continued on the European stage as well. The young defender recently made his Champions League debut in Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Villarreal, where he was named the Man of the Match after an exceptional performance. His pace, positional awareness, and calmness under pressure have made him one of the standout defenders in the league this season.
Some pundits have even gone as far as to compare him with Liverpool’s defensive icon Virgil van Dijk. Speaking on talkSPORT (via X), Jason Cundy boldly claimed,
“Van Dijk, not world class, not for me. I’ve said this before. I’ve said this before, mate. No, I don’t see it. He’s overhyped. Van De Ven is a better centre-half than Van Dijk.”
While such comparisons make for good debate, it is important to remain realistic. As much as Spurs fans admire Van de Ven and acknowledge his incredible form, it would be premature to claim that he has surpassed Van Dijk. The Liverpool captain has proven his class year after year, winning multiple trophies and consistently performing at the highest level – something that Van de Ven still has time to achieve.
That said, if the Spurs centre-back continues his current trajectory, there is no doubt he could on day be mentioned in the same breath as Virgil van Dijk. For now, however, it is best to appreciate both defenders for what they bring to the game. They are at very different stages in their careers, and Van de Ven still has much to learn. But all signs suggest he is on the right path to becoming one of the Premier League’s elite defenders.
