Tottenham Hotspur fans are starting to see the best of Micky van de Ven this season
Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven is clearly enjoying a more prominent role under Thomas Frank this season. The Dutchman’s progress was disrupted last year after he suffered a long-term injury midway through the campaign. However, he recovered in time for the Lilywhites’ Europa League knockout matches, eventually helping the club win the competition against all odds in May.
To his credit, the 24-year-old has not looked back since and has made significant strides this season. He has become an important part of Thomas Frank’s setup, forming a strong partnership at the back with Cristian Romero. The duo is arguably one of the best centre-back pairings in the Premier League this season, already helping Spurs register eight clean sheets in all competitions.
Van de Ven’s wonder goal against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League was a moment for the highlight reels. He ran the length of the pitch with the ball, gliding past opposition players before calmly slotting it into the net to extend Spurs’ lead over the Danish side. Not many centre-backs could produce what the 24-year-old did in that moment, highlighting why he is regarded as one of the best defenders in Europe right now.
Micky van de Ven has been the pick of the bunch at Tottenham this season
With six goals in all competitions this season, Micky van de Ven has added a goal-scoring edge to his game, allowing him to make a meaningful impact at both ends of the pitch. Remarkably, he is the club’s leading scorer so far, underlining his importance in Thomas Frank’s side. He has also taken on a leadership role, validating Frank’s decision to include him in the leadership group.
Football writer Ali Speechly has now named Van de Ven as Tottenham’s standout player this season as the club looks to build on last year’s Europa League triumph. Writing for the BBC, Speechly said,
“Micky van de Ven is having a superb season. He continues to excel at centre-back and has improved his overall game by increasing his attacking threat, with some significant goal contributions so far.”
As Speechly notes, Van de Ven has elevated his all-round game and has looked far more influential in both defensive and attacking phases. The prolific defender has gone from strength-to-strength and is one of the first names on Thomas Frank’s team sheet this season. His ability to break the high press by driving forward and creating openings has been crucial for Spurs.
It is no surprise that the 24-year-old has attracted interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool. Both clubs want to strengthen their backline and see Van de Ven as a strong candidate for a future transfer. To avoid losing him, Spurs have made their stance clear and are prepared to offer him an improved contract to keep him at N17 and help the club close the gap on their rivals.
Supporters will hope the influential centre-back continues to perform at a high level and plays a key role in helping Tottenham build on last season’s European success. His long-term future at N17 remains uncertain, but there is optimism among fans that he will commit to a new deal and continue developing his partnership with Cristian Romero in the years ahead.
