The Wolfsburg defender might make an excellent addition to the Lilywhites’ defense…
Tottenham Hotspur have entered the competition to recruit Wolfsburg defender Micky van de Ven, with new boss Ange Postecoglou looking for reassurance about the quality of his defense.
What is the latest on Micky van de Ven’s transfer to Tottenham?
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham have Van de Ven “on their shortlist” with another German Bundesliga star Edmond Tapsoba, with preliminary conversations already taking place.
With Premier League rivals Liverpool also interested in the left-sided central defender, who Wolfsburg values at approximately €30 million (£26 million), Spurs will need to provide a tempting package if they are to secure his signing.
Tottenham have developed a list of names to examine for moves this summer after failing to qualify for Europe this season, owing primarily to a poor defense that allowed 63 goals in the Premier League.
Should Spurs sign Micky van de Ven?
While the sorrow of the previous season lingers down the N17, Postecoglou’s hiring has been both astute and appropriate, and there is every potential that a promising transfer window will sow the seeds for a memorable campaign.
Such productive endeavors, though, will only come to light with effective defensive labor, and Van de Ven‘s agility and zeal might reinforce the structure at the back.
Journalist Ronan Murphy commended the “giant” for “flourishing” this season, and considering his preference for the left side of the center defense, he may be the ideal match for Cristian Romero.
With his performances ebbing and flowing like the tide this season, Spurs’ £42m player finished the 2022/23 league term with an average Sofascore rating of 6.97, playing 27 times and being described as a “Rolls-Royce” by Martin Keown.
And, according to FBref, the Argentine 2022 World Cup winner ranks among the top 17% of centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons and the top 5% for tackles per 90 over the past year, indicating that he has the tenacity and aggressiveness to bully defenses, and with a burgeoning star like Van de Ven beside him, he could thrive.
In comparison, the Dutchman is among the top 10% of center-backs in terms of progressive carries and the top 7% in terms of successful take-ons per 90.
The 23-year-old is clearly raw, but he has a high ceiling that Spurs should seize. By obtaining his signing, a dynamic new combination may be forged to revive the solidity and strength of a leaky backline.
Increasing the defensive standard can only lead to better results, and given what Romero has been able to produce in the midst of a poor defensive year for Spurs as a whole, a new partner as capable as Van de Ven may just give the Tottenham backline the boost it needs to thrive next season.
Leave a Reply