Tottenham Must Avoid Making a Costly Mistake With Micky van de Ven
Tottenham Hotspur cannot afford to underestimate Micky van de Ven, especially after questions were raised about his place in the starting lineup following the recent international break.
The Dutch defender suffered a minor injury while representing the Netherlands, leading to his absence from Tottenham’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United. Marcos Senesi partnered Jan Paul van Hecke in defence, prompting some supporters to question whether Senesi should be given more opportunities ahead of Van de Ven.
Senesi impressed last season at Bournemouth, earning praise for his performances and his ability to play the ball out from the back. Some fans believe his recent displays have made him a serious contender for a regular starting position.
However, replacing Van de Ven could prove to be a costly decision for Spurs.
Why Van de Ven Remains Crucial to Tottenham
Although Senesi offers quality in possession and has shown defensive improvement, he does not possess the same pace and recovery ability as Van de Ven. This could become a major problem against teams capable of launching quick counterattacks.
Tottenham’s possession-based approach under Roberto De Zerbi requires defenders who can deal with dangerous situations when opponents break forward. Playing Senesi and Van Hecke together without Van de Ven could leave the backline vulnerable against stronger opposition.
Van de Ven has also delivered impressive defensive performances this season, helping Tottenham maintain clean sheets and improve their defensive stability. His ability to stop opponents from getting past him makes him an important part of the team’s defensive structure.
While his previous performances have attracted criticism, De Zerbi has shown confidence in him by appointing him captain and helping him regain his best form.
Ultimately, Tottenham need to recognise Van de Ven’s importance rather than allowing recent debates to undermine his position. Senesi may offer certain advantages, particularly when building attacks, but Van de Ven’s pace, defensive ability and leadership make him difficult to replace.
Spurs must be careful not to make a decision that weakens their defence. Van de Ven remains a key player, and Tottenham are likely to be stronger with him in the starting lineup.
