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Micky van de Ven: The Complete Centre-Back or Still Room for Improvement?

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Micky van de Ven
Is Micky van de Ven the Best Centre-Back in the Premier League?


Micky van de Ven's speed, passing, and goal-scoring ability make him a unique centre-back. But can he prove he's the best in the league?


Micky van de Ven's time at Tottenham has been marked by some impressive stats...


Micky van de Ven's impressive start to the season has sparked debate over whether he's already the Premier League's best centre-back. The 24-year-old has been in exceptional form for Tottenham, scoring three goals in the league so far, including a brace in the recent 3-0 win over Everton.



Tottenham's Steady Start Under Thomas Frank

Tottenham's start to life under new manager Thomas Frank has largely gone under the radar, but the team is consistently looking steadier than they were under Ange Postecoglou. Currently, Tottenham is sitting in third place in the Premier League, and Van de Ven's performances have been a key factor in their success.




While Van de Ven has been outstanding in attack, his defensive numbers are not as impressive. He has made just nine tackles across his nine Premier League games and isn't particularly good in the air, winning 12 with a 50% success rate. However, his pace, passing ability, and clinical finishing have made him a valuable asset to Tottenham.


Despite his impressive form, Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel are considered to be the best centre-back duo in the league at the moment. Van de Ven still has room for improvement, particularly in his defensive skills, but his potential and current form make him a strong contender for the top spot.




Tottenham's opening fixtures have been relatively easy, with their toughest test being a 2-0 win at Manchester City. However, one player who has impressed is Micky van de Ven.


The 24-year-old centre-back has been in outstanding form, scoring a brace in Tottenham's recent 3-0 win over Everton. Van de Ven's performances have been key to Tottenham's success, but the question remains: is he now the best centre-back in the league?


Van de Ven's stats are certainly impressive, with three goals in the Premier League this season, making him the highest-scoring defender. He has also shown his ability to contribute to attacks, with 55 passes into the final third and 14 touches in the opposition box. However, some argue that he needs to improve his defensive skills to be considered the best.


While Van de Ven has been excellent, Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel are likely the best centre-back duo in the league right now. Van de Ven's defensive numbers aren't bad, but he may focus more on attacking due to his pace and ability. He has made 10 interceptions and 34 recoveries this season, showcasing his defensive prowess.


Micky van de Ven's Exceptional Speed

Micky van de Ven's time at Tottenham has been marked by some impressive stats, including recording the fastest sprint in the competition's history at 37.38km/h against Brentford in January 2024. This exceptional pace gives Tottenham flexibility and allows Van de Ven to play with more attacking freedom.


For a centre-back, Van de Ven's attacking numbers are remarkable. With his speed, technical ability, and vision, he has become a valuable asset to Tottenham's attack. Van de Ven has scored 3 goals in the 2025/2026 season and has an expected goal (xG) value of 1.55, showcasing his ability to create scoring opportunities.


Micky van de Ven has scored three goals in the Premier League so far, putting him on par with big summer signings Viktor Gyokeres and Hugo Ekiteke. This impressive feat makes him the highest-scoring defender in the English top flight.


His underlying numbers showcase his clinical approach, with his three goals coming from just three shots on target out of seven attempts. Notably, he's overperforming his expected goals (xG) of 1.55 by nearly 100%.


Micky van de Ven's passing ability is often overlooked, but it's a significant aspect of his game. He has completed 500 passes with a remarkable 92.3% success rate, showcasing his ability to distribute the ball effectively from the back.


Van de Ven has made 55 passes into the final third, highlighting his importance in Tottenham's attacking plays. Notably, his passing range allows him to pick out teammates in advanced positions.


With 14 touches in the opposition box, Van de Ven often finds himself in scoring positions, making him a valuable asset to his team.


Micky van de Ven's defensive stats show room for improvement, with just nine tackles in nine Premier League games, winning 28 duels at a rate of 54.9%. He's also not dominating in the air, winning 12 duels with a 50% success rate.


However, Van de Ven excels in other areas, likely due to his speed. He's made 10 interceptions and 34 recoveries, surpassing his centre-back partner Cristian Romero by nine recoveries. This suggests Van de Ven's pace allows him to effectively track back and regain possession.



Verdict on Micky van de Ven's Performance

Van de Ven is unlike any other centre-back in the Premier League, and perhaps Europe’s top five leagues as a whole. To be considered the best in the country, however, he needs to flex his defensive muscles a little more.




In his first season at the club (2023-24), he ended the Premier League season having won 49 tackles and 119 duels. Since Spurs were so bad as a collective last season, it would be unfair to use those numbers.


For now, and Spurs fans won’t want to hear this, Arsenal duo William Saliba and Gabriel are far and away the best centre-backs in the league at the moment.





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