Michael Dawson reveals who he thinks is Tottenham’s most important player
Michael Dawson reveals who he thinks Tottenham’s most important player is, and it might not be who you think.
Tottenham pride themselves on their attackers
Historically, Spurs have always had some unbelievable flair players, with some of the greatest attackers in the English game having worn the famous Lilywhite shirt.
However, Dawson feels that the most important player in the current Tottenham squad is not any of their attackers such as Heung-min Son, Dejan Kulusevski or James Maddison, but rather a defender.
The man who makes Spurs tick
The former Tottenham captain has named Micky van de Ven as the most valuable player in the Spurs squad, insisting that the Dutchman is up there with the best central defenders in the Premier League.
The pundit pointed out that it is the 23-year-old’s prowess at defending one-v-one that allows Ange Postecoglou’s side to play such as high line and press the opposition high up the pitch.
Dawson said at the Copa del Cure Leukaemia tournament at St George’s Park (via Yahoo Sport): “It’s normally the forward that’s so valuable but the way Spurs play and the way the full-backs are so expansive, Micky is always on the half turn and ready to run in behind.
“You can leave him one v one and I never liked to be in that position because I was never as quick as he was. He can do that and that gives the attackers the opportunity to go forward.
“I think he’s one of the best in the league, right alongside Van Dijk, Saliba, Gabriel and Dias. I think Ange is lucky he’s got Micky to play the way they do.”
Postecoglou’s biggest fear
Postecoglou’s biggest fear would be losing Van de Ven to a long-term injury as Tottenham are not the same side without the former Wolfsburg man.
Without his recovery pace, the Spurs backline would have to play around five yards deeper, which, in turn, means that they cannot press as aggressively as they normally do.
It is no coincidence that Tottenham had a poor run of results last season when the Netherlands international was out injured for two months.
The post Michael Dawson reveals who he thinks is Tottenham’s most important player appeared first on Spurs Web.