At a glance:
- Micky van de Ven linked with Tottenham exit
- Liverpool keeping tabs on him
- Dean Saunders slams Dutch defender
Tottenham Hotspur are set to see many of their players depart this summer, even if they stay in the Premier League.
The north London side have had two tough seasons despite winning the Europa League in the last campaign. This season has been terrible in every way, on and off the pitch. Not only have their performances been poor, but the goodwill amongst the fans and players has also gone away.
Hence, some players will leave, even if Tottenham manage to avoid relegation. One of the names highly linked with a departure is Micky van de Ven, with numerous clubs interested.
Dean Saunders criticizes Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven amid Liverpool links
Spurs signed Van de Ven from Wolfsburg in 2023, and he has largely been good for them. He is the fastest defender in the Premier League, and his speed has impressed everyone since his arrival.
However, former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders has raised questions over Van de Ven’s football brain. He said (h/t Mirror):
“When speaking about Micky van de Ven, he is lightning quick, but I have played against defenders like him. I have played against the quickest centre-backs in the world, but it was never a problem for me. Being a top defender is all about your brain.
“It doesn’t matter being quick if you don’t have the brain. It helps you recover from mistakes, but you shouldn’t make those mistakes to start. I am just not sure if Van de Ven’s football brain is that good and if he can read the game. At this level, everything is about speed of thought,” he added.
Also Read: £57m Tottenham player could leave on loan if relegation is confirmed
Van de Ven has made 40 appearances across competitions for Tottenham this season. He is also among their top scorers with seven goals and one assist.
However, he has been caught lacking in defense numerous times.
Van de Ven appears set to leave Tottenham
As the summer transfer window approaches, Van de Ven appears set for an exit from Tottenham. Manchester United are interested in signing the Dutch defender. He has also been linked with Liverpool and Barcelona. His contract with Spurs expires in 2029.
A potential move would arguably be good for both parties. Van de Ven has caught a lot of flak from the Tottenham supporters this season for his poor attitude and performances.
Moreover, the constant rumors around his future when the team is dealing with a relegation battle haven’t helped either.
Van de Ven is a really good defender who made an unbelievable goal-line clearance to help Spurs win the Europa League.
However, he also gets rated highly due to his flashy attributes like pace. Despite being 6’4”, he is not good in the air and is also lacking in good one-on-one defending.
Hence, it would also be good for Tottenham to cash in on him, having signed him for £43 million.
