Player Watch Player Watch: Micky van de Ven

[Woodyy]

A younger, taller, better Jan Vertonghen

Come on, better? He might well be but you can’t declare that yet, Micky has played 9 times for us, Jan played for us over 300 times and for the vast majority of that he was excellent and is arguably our best CB in the premier league era alongside King and Toby. We had the best defence in the league 2 years in a row with Toby and Vertonghen at the back, this new back 4 are my favourite since the Walker - Toby - Vertonghen - Rose days but they have a long way to go to match them.

 

[Mr Pink]

Come on, better? He might well be but you can’t declare that yet, Micky has played 9 times for us, Jan played for us over 300 times and for the vast majority of that he was excellent and is arguably our best CB in the premier league era alongside King and Toby. We had the best defence in the league 2 years in a row with Toby and Vertonghen at the back, this new back 4 are my favourite since the Walker - Toby - Vertonghen - Rose days but they have a long way to go to match them.

I agree.

But I'd put money on VDV being even better.

I think he has a higher ceiling because of his pace and strength, on top of his all round defensive qualities.

 

[Komma]

So young, so much to learn, but already looking top drawer. Let's all enjoy the ride and back him and the team through the roller coaster ride.

 

[Nine while nine]

My son missed the game and asked for the score.

Our conversation went like this.


Me:

'It was 1-0 to us',

Him:

'Who scored?'

Me:

'Micky van de... [long pause]'

Him:

'Ven?'

Me:

'In zer fifty zird minute'


I then got my coat.

 

[Woodyy]

I agree.

But I'd put money on VDV being even better.

I think he has a higher ceiling because of his pace and strength, on top of his all round defensive qualities.

I hope so and I think you could definitely be right but people forget how good Jan was sometimes, I remember seeing him properly dominate games from CB even from an offensive perspective (Swansea in his first season comes to mind) and him being arguably the best player on the pitch from LB against the best team in Germany at the time.

But yeah, if VVD can match him on everything plus have the physical advantages he will be some player.

 

[Teemu]

So handsome

 

[Flobadob]

There’s a genuine case to say he could potentially become better than Vertonghen. Makes everything look so effortless. He’s an absolute pleasure to watch.
Edit- just seen that this has already been debated. He’s not as good as prime Jan yet but it would not surprise me whatsoever if prime Mickey turns out to be a better player

 

[Wearegoingtowintheleague]

So handsome

Thank you x

 

[robotsonic]

Just imperious, and the confidence that he exudes in such a young player so inexperienced in this league and this level is rare and clearly infectious to both players and fans.

The guy doesn't seem to give a single shit in the moment, but gives it all internally. Ice in his veins until it all pours out when it can. Honestly can't think of an import defender that's come in and played like this at this age, and that's to any team. Anyone? And yet while he's getting the odd shout out, he's still going under the radar.

Just mad to see us buy a player with no preseason, and just start playing him in such an integral position and him just rise above the challenge to this extent and immediately be undroppable after his first 45 and back it all up with every subsequent one.

To watch him take the ball on, and just sweep passes about, play between the lines, or just drift past the press into midfield as if there's nothing to either and he just decides which is the better play but it'll come off either way, is majestic.

I said previously also, but he has Tottenham captain vibes. He's doing a lot of media outside of matchday, and we're sending him out after every game. He speaks well and walks the walk. Obviously very early days but there's something about this one..

 

[spurs-r-us]

A younger, taller, better Jan Vertonghen

What's the comparison despite them being from the same geographical region, being left footed, and having similar haircuts?

Jan was a touch undersized for a CB, not overly quick and was average in the air. Made up for it with an unbelievable game sense, a really good passing game, the ability to remain calm no matter the pressure, and the best timed tackling I've seen at Spurs aside from King.

Micky is super quick, imperious in the air, very calm, and reasonable with the ball at his feet.

You can enjoy watching a young fella make his mark without arbitrarily denigrating a Spurs legend.

 

[VancouverSpurs]

Does he have a song? I'm sure he does but may I humbly suggest ?

*Apologies if this has already been discussed*

 

[mark87]

 

[SUIYHA]

People talk about Maddison being the signing of the season for good reason, but whisper it quietly, so far I'd say Van de Ven hasn't been too far behind. What I love about him is that his pace allows us to push up and play a high line on the front foot, which in some of our previous defensive set ups was suicidal as we'd always get picked off on the break. Lost count of how many times already that we've seen an opposition player get through on goal only for VdV to outpace him and make the recovery tackle. It helps going the other way as well, instead of clumsy defenders just hoofing it long and hoping for the best, we've now got someone who can burst forward with the ball at pace to carry it out from the back and quickly move our possession up the field.

I know he always favoured the counter-attacking style, but I can't help but wonder if Conte would have done better last season if he'd had someone like VdV around instead of a bunch of defenders that he clearly didn't trust enough to let the team play on the front foot.

 

[Toast]

I agree.

But I'd put money on VDV being even better.

I think he has a higher ceiling because of his pace and strength, on top of his all round defensive qualities.

He’s a bit taller than Jan so he’ll need a higher ceiling

 

[Japhet]

What a player we've picked up here. I thought he was a Tapsoba back up but he's been so, so good for us so far and has taken it all in his stride. He's had a couple of knock backs but it hasn't dented his confidence one bit and he's dovetailed perfectly with Romero. Nobody has beaten him in a footrace and he doesn't even look like he's pushing himself either. Add in a great finish v Luton and I couldn't be happier. I think he makes the EPL team of the season so far, that's how good he's been.

Edit; Apparently a post which is from start to finish exclusively about Micky Van de Ven is 'off topic' in the Micky Van de Ven thread. I'm confused.

 

[SonicSarr]

He is the man. Could be one of our best signings for years. But so could Romero, Sarr, Biss, Kulu, good Udogie, Vic. I think we have finally found a joined up way of doing stuff.

 

[McFlash]

He can't be talked about alongside Super Jan until he's tackled someone by undressing them...🫣

 

[N'Obody]

What a player we've picked up here. I thought he was a Tapsoba back up but he's been so, so good for us so far and has taken it all in his stride. He's had a couple of knock backs but it hasn't dented his confidence one bit and he's dovetailed perfectly with Romero. Nobody has beaten him in a footrace and he doesn't even look like he's pushing himself either. Add in a great finish v Luton and I couldn't be happier. I think he makes the EPL team of the season so far, that's how good he's been.

Fully agree with this. Its early days but the kind of impact he's having on our team could be even Van Djik levels. Vicario with the Alison levels. Genuinely think the pairing of him and Romero will be the best pair this season.

 

[Ginola+Tonic]

Annoying Saliba is the other one but VDV is amazing!!!

 

[dickieven]

View attachment 133253

Annoying Saliba is the other one but VDV is amazing!!!

Both excellent players. Ours is better though!