Micky van de Ven has revealed that he watched videos of former Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Jan Vertonghen to develop into a better defender.
Speaking on the Premier League’s YouTube channel, Van de Ven was asked about Vertonghen and claimed that the Belgian was one of his inspirations growing up.
“I was always in the stadium with my Dad when Ajax were playing. We went to every game and Jan was always playing. He was a left-footed centre-back. I’m a left-footed centre-back.
“I always looked up to him and saw his qualities on the pitch. Afterwards, I watched some videos of him and that helped me a lot.”
Tottenham signed Vertonghen in the summer of 2012 from Ajax for £9.5 million and he went on to spend eight years at the North London side.
Vertonghen was a constant fixture in Tottenham’s backline for a number of years and formed a formidable partnership with Toby Alderweireld, which led Spurs to the Champions League final in 2019.
After making a mark at Tottenham, the centre-back left the North London side for Benfica in 2020 and now, at the ripe age of 36, the defender is still plying his trade at Anderlecht.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Micky van de Ven of Tottenham Hotspur controls the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 24, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Is Micky van de Ven Tottenham’s next Vertonghen?
Since Vertonghen’s departure, Spurs have arguably struggled to find an adequate replacement for him in the backline, considering the Lilywhites’ underwhelming defensive record under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.
However, it looks like Van de Ven, signed from Wolfsburg this summer, could be the solution to Tottenham’s woes and the 22-year-old has started his stint at the North London club on the front foot.
Since his arrival this summer, Ange Postecoglou has managed to drastically turn things around at Tottenham, and part of that has been down to the superb partnership between Van de Ven and Romero.
Spurs Web Opinion
After years of watching the likes of Eric Dier, Ben Davies, Davinson Sanchez and Clement Lenglet struggle in Tottenham’s backline, Van de Ven’s arrival and subsequent chemistry with Romero is an encouraging sign for Spurs’ future.
Have something to tell us about this article?
