Tottenham told defender Micky van de Ven 'equally as good' as Arsenal star William Saliba and can emulate Virgil van Dijk

08/04/2024 11:55

Tottenham teammates Timo Werner and Guglielmo Vicario couldn’t help but join fans in singing Micky van de Ven’s name on Sunday.

And former Spurs and Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp sang his praises in the Sky Sports studio too, insisting the Dutch defender can reach elite heights.

Van de Ven is one of the signings of the Premier League season having joined from Wolfsburg in a £43million summer transfer.

The lightning fast centre-back has thrilled with his recovery speed and possessional play since his arrival, despite little being known about him on these shores.

Spurs’ backline might be a little leaky still, as it was in the 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest, but the 22-year-old is showing massive potential alongside World Cup winner Cristian Romero.

As well as decisive interventions at the back, Van de Ven scored Tottenham’s second of the evening against the Tricky Trees – a rocket from the edge of the area.

Understandably, plaudits went the way of the Player of the Match and Redknapp offered him some of the highest praise possible, comparing him to two of the Premier League’s top centre-backs.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Redknapp said: “‘Arsenal fans will look at Saliba who is a great young defender as well, but I think this guy’s equally as good. He’s got everything going for him.

“You see the difference when Spurs lost him when he had his hamstring injuries. I think if he stays injury free there’s no reason why he can’t almost emulate what Virgil van Dijk‘s done.

“When Virgil was a similar age, Virgil wasn’t producing the performances that he is right now. He’s only going to get better, as long as he doesn’t get too many injuries along the way because that can affect with the hamstrings and the speed that he’s got, but he’s a top player, he really is.”

Van Dijk, previously at Celtic and Southampton, has been a central figure in Liverpool’s success under Jurgen Klopp.

With the Germany, the colossal centre-back has won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup, along with the FIFA Club World Cup.

Saliba, meanwhile, was named in the PFA Team of the Season last year, in his debut campaign as his performances fired Arsenal into a title fight with Man City.

The France international has done the same this year alongside Gabriel as the Gunners attempt to win the Premier League for the first time since 2004.

And that’s not bad company for Van de Ven to keep as he thrills under manager Ange Postecloglou.