8 months ago
109 Danny Murphy feels Micky van de Ven is just as important to Tottenham Hotspur as Virgil van Dijk is to Liverpool.
The Dutchman put in another commanding display at centre-back as Spurs thrashed Aston Villa 4-0 on Sunday.
With Tottenham adopting a brave approach at Villa Park, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero were often left to deal with the threats of Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey.
During the opening 50 minutes, Van de Ven once again covered brilliantly behind Spurs’ high defensive line as the Lilywhites limited Villa to scraps in front of goal.
But the 22-year-old’s day was ended early as he was forced off with an injury in the 49th minute.
Ange Postecoglou appeared to play down suggestions the injury could be a significant one after the game.
Yet, Spurs will be sweating over Van de Ven’s fitness as they head into the business end of the campaign.
And after just seven months at the club, Danny Murphy believes the centre-back is already just as important as Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.
Murphy claims Van de Ven is as ‘crucial’ as Van Dijk
Speaking on Match of the Day 2, Murphy discussed Van de Ven’s importance to this current Spurs side and compared him to his compatriot Van Dijk.
“He’s [Van de Ven] absolutely crucial to it,” the former Spurs man said. “Although Dragusin, to be fair, is quite mobile but not that mobile.
“I think, depending on the level of the injury, but I was talking about Van Dijk’s importance to Liverpool and I see that with him as well. He’s a crucial player for Tottenham.”
It’s hard to disagree with Murphy’s comments as Van de Ven is already so crucial to the way Spurs set-up.
While it’s still early days in terms of his Tottenham career, he’s undoubtedly been their most consistent performer in defence this season.
His recovery pace is key to the way Tottenham want to play and should he face a spell on the sidelines, it would be a huge blow for Postecoglou.
With that being said, Radu Dragusin stepped up well after the Dutchman’s injury yesterday.
This is exactly why Spurs were desperate to bring in another option at centre-back and if Van de Ven’s injury does keep him out for a few weeks, Dragusin has shown he’s ready to come into the starting XI.
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