A lot can change in a week in football. Micky van de Ven was in the headlines for all the wrong reasons after Tottenham Hotspur‘s defeat to Chelsea.
The Dutchman had snubbed manager Thomas Frank, walking straight off the pitch after the final whistle. Two days later, Frank revealed that the defender had apologised for the incident.
A day after that, Van de Ven went viral for all the right reasons. He contributed to Tottenham’s 4-0 win over FC Copenhagen with a magnificent solo strike. We’re often told players don’t listen to negativity. But it’s clear that a bit of good PR and positivity can do you the power of good on the pitch.
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Van de Ven was already having a superb season. His goal simply underlined just how good he has become in so many aspects. And that’s before we even talk about his actually defensive ability.
Last season was a rather forgettable campaign for the ex-Wolfsburg man, from a personal standpoint. He spent much of the season on the sidelines and only played 10 times in the Premier League. This season, he has returned to the all-action displays he was renowned for in 2023-24.
Van de Ven has become so popular with the Spurs fanbase because he perfectly encompasses what it means to be a Tottenham defender. He is brave, combative, technically good with his feet and loves racing back to defend like he’s got rocket boots on.
There was just one thing that Frank challenged him on to improve when he arrived. And that was scoring goals.
An unlikely top scorer
The Dane recently revealed he told the defender he expected him to score more — especially with his head.
Speaking after Van de Ven scored a pair of headed goals against Everton recently, Frank said: “First and foremost, I think he’s really growing and taking some big steps. I’m very pleased with him overall.
“I think he’s taken more leadership, defending better and better. Not only using his pace but also more clever positions. Very happy with that.
“And then actually at the beginning of the season I said, ‘It’s OK you score with your left and your right foot, but you need to score headed goals. You’re a centre-back, you need to score more with that’.”
Van de Ven listened to that advice and then some. The Dutchman has scored six goals in all competitions this season, making him comfortably Tottenham’s top scorer.
He has three more than striker Richarlison, and is showing he is dangerous to attack and defend against.
Record-breaking pace
Van de Ven’s breathless run against Copenhagen, which saw him start from outside his own penalty area and then blitz past a sea of body before firing home, summed up his aggression, speed and power.
He is technically the fastest player in Premier League history. The Dutchman hit a top speed of 37.38 km/h with a run against Brentford in 2023-24 — the fastest on Opta’s record.
It’s no wonder he’s been played at left-back during points of his Tottenham career. But based on that goal, you could probably play him at left wing.
He’s shown he can mix it with the very best in the Premier League this season. It probably won’t be long before some very big clubs start circling for Tottenham’s star centre-back.
How does Van de Ven compare?
Now, Van de Ven certainly isn’t top of the pile when you compare him to the likes of William Saliba, Gabriel, Ruben Dias and Virgil van Dijk.
But he has more than held his own. And has either trumped or equalled them in four areas.
Firstly, goals. He’s scored three in the Premier League this season, the most of any defender. Frank has made a point of increasing Tottenham’s threat from set pieces and long balls this season. And Van de Ven has been one of their primary weapons.
Defensively, Van de Ven leads the selected group for ball recoveries (26) and also sitting joint-top for tackles (11) and interceptions (10). Per 90 minutes, he sits second for interceptions (1.1) and tackles (1.2), trailing Dias and Saliba, respectively.
Van de Ven has made the second-most ground duels (19) of the group, only trailing Gabriel’s 23.
But he is far behind when it comes to aerial duels. His effort of 13 is the lowest of the group and dwarfed by Van Dijk’s 47. Van de Ven also has the second-fewest clearances at 34, with his compatriot again leading the way.
Van de Ven does shint with his passing and ball-playing attributes. The Tottenham centre-back has completed 76% of his forward passes, including 3.13 passes into the final third completed per 90.
His total passing accuracy sits at 92%, and he averages 55.8 completed passes per 90 in the league. Plus, he has completed 50% of his attempted take-ons, showcasing his brilliant ability to run past opponents.
Van de Ven’s ceiling is a high one. Even if Frank may have gone a bit too far with the Lionel Messi comparisons after his goal.
The Dane even joed that the defender could “keep walking past me if he’s angry after a game” if it meant more performances like that.
Whatever motivation Van de Ven has driving him forwards on the pitch this season, it’s working.