National media claim Tottenham star is becoming a 'more rounded' player in 2025
Tottenham fans will love what the national media in the Netherlands is saying about Micky van de Ven after his performance as a left-back in the World Cup qualifier against Malta.
Although it was Brennan Johnson who scored Tottenham’s matchwinner in the Europa League final, it was Van de Ven who produced the moment of the match, with his acrobatic goalline clearance in the second half ensuring that the Lilywhites kept a clean sheet.
Buoyed by the confidence of the Europa League win, the 24-year-old has now impressed for his national side, who made it two wins in two in their World Cup qualification campaign by thrashing Malta 8-0 at the Euroborg Stadium in Groningen, Netherlands.
Van de Ven scored a goal and assisted another against Malta, producing a fine attacking display as a marauding full-back and the Dutch media are in awe of the Tottenham Hotspur man.
National media want to see Micky van de Ven start regularly
Spurs fans have long been wondering how Van de Ven is not one of the first names on Ronald Koeman’s teamsheet, but the Netherlands head coach has no shortage of top-class defenders at his disposal.
The Tottenham man got the nod to start over Nathan Ake at left-back on Wednesday and many Dutch publications have asserted that the 24-year-old offers more in that role than the Man City man.
Football Oranje handed Van de Ven an 8/10 and wrote: “A very positive performance from the left-back who capped it with a wonderful volley late on. Looks more rounded and offers more in the position than Ake.”
VoetbalPrimeur also handed the Spurs defender the same rating and wrote: “Van de Ven was never really tested defensively. This allowed the Tottenham Hotspur player to create danger with his unparalleled speed. This was beautifully demonstrated in the 1-0, which was largely achieved by his impressive rush.
“One After Deep in the final phase he also scored his first and also very beautiful international goal. One thing is clear: Van de Ven is definitely knocking on the door for a starting place.”
Could we see Micky van de Ven in a different role next season?
Van de Ven has shown his attacking prowess time and again, with the defender being unstoppable when he is striding forward with the ball.
We know that Thomas Frank, who is expected to be confirmed as the Tottenham head coach, is tactically flexible and is no stranger to using a back three.
Frank likes to play a system that suits the strengths of the players at his disposal and he might feel that Van de Ven has a lot more to offer if he plays on the left of a back three, which would allow him more freedom to stride forward with the ball if space opens up.
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