National manager urged to ‘think inventively’ and use Spurs star at the Euros
Dutch journalist Henk Spaan believes Micky van de Ven could be a star for the Netherlands at the European Championships on the back of an outstanding first season at Tottenham.
Van de Ven has had a monumental rise over the last 12 months since his switch from Wolfsburg and on the back of his consistent displays at Spurs this season, he is now widely regarded as one of the best young centre-backs in world football.
At just 23 years of age, the defender has the world at his feet and Tottenham fans will be hoping that he can go on to become a great at the club, with his partnership at the back with Cristian Romero having all the makings of a potential legendry pairing.
Van de Ven was not even on the radar of Ronald Koeman this time last year but he is now guaranteed to be part of the Netherlands squad that will fly to Germany this summer for the Euros.
The Tottenham man faces a challenge to break into the starting eleven as he is competing with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake and Matthijs de Ligt while the likes of Stefan de Vrij and Daley Blind are also in and around the squad.
Should Micky Van de Ven start for the Netherlands?
However, Spaan believes that the Spurs star should be in Koeman’s starting eleven if the 61-year-old is not too wedded to the tried and tested options.
The journalist Henk Spaan wrote for Het Parool (as relayed by Sport Witness): “Van de Ven played 26 games for Tottenham in his debut year, became player of the year at his club, is the (measured) fastest player in the Premier League and scored three goals in the bargain.
“If there is one central defender who can play with ‘space in the back’, it is him. Moreover, he can also play at left-back. This tall slugger is now worth €50m. He could break through as an international this European Championship, if Koeman is willing to think inventively.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Koeaman does like to switch between a back four and a back three depending on the opposition that he comes up against.
If he does play a back three, I see Van de Ven starting but the Tottenham man may not make the starting eleven if Koeaman sticks with a back four as the Dutch coach is likely to give precedence to the players who have done well for him.
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