Jamie Redknapp, a former midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur who is now a football pundit, believes that if Micky van de Ven stays injury-free, he can emulate Virgil van Dijk, a defender for Liverpool. In the Netherlands defense, Micky van de Ven and Virgil van Dijk work together.
After missing ten Premier League games due to a hamstring injury, the 22-year-old has had his fair share of injury issues this season. However, Micky has now played the whole 90 minutes of the previous two league games.
In the meantime, he has also had a significant impact on games; last weekend, his spectacular goal against Nottingham Forest helped Tottenham move up to the top four of the league table.
Jamie Redknapp acknowledges the potential of Micky van de Ven.
Redknapp has likened Van de Ven to William Saliba of Arsenal and Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool after noticing his strong performances when healthy. Van de Ven has been impressive at N17 after joining from Wolfsburg for £43 million in the summer. If Micky stays in shape, Jamie Redknapp believes he might have a bright future.
After the victory over Forest, he told Sky Sports, “I think this guy is equally as good as [William] Saliba, who is a great young defender as well” (via Football.London).
Everything is working in his favor.
The difference was evident when the Spurs lost him due to hamstring issues. If he avoids injuries, I believe he can nearly accomplish what Virgil van Dijk has accomplished.
At a similar age, Virgil wasn’t giving the kinds of performances he is today, and he will only continue to improve. As long as he avoids suffering too many injuries along the way, as that could impair his speed due to his hamstrings, but he’s a top athlete player he really is.
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Van de Ven has demonstrated his ability to be an incredibly skilled defender, but there are still areas of his game that need to be explored in addition to his difficulties with injuries, as Jamie points out. He might be among the best in the business and help the Lilywhites take home some trophies.
For the time being, Spurs and Micky will concentrate on the next weekend trip to Newcastle United for a much awaited match. Before their Sunday match against Arsenal, the North Londoners would be three points clear of Aston Villa in sixth place if they prevailed at St. James Park.
