After the Dutch defender apparently turned down a transfer to Liverpool in favour of Tottenham, Eamon Dunphy has compared Micky van de Ven to Virgil van Dijk.
The 22-year-old centre back, who cost £43 million to bring to Tottenham, has been a revelation. The former Republic of Ireland star praised the player in an interview with The Strand.
Liverpool was among the numerous teams hoping to capture Van van Ven this summer, but Spurs ultimately emerged victorious in the competition, and what a coup it has been.
Under Ange Postecoglou, the defender has been instrumental in Tottenham’s remarkable Premier League start. Van den Ven and Cristian Romero have a terrific relationship.
Dunphy is obviously a huge fan of Van den Ven, who could have played for Liverpool rather than Tottenham, so it’s probably not shocking that comparisons to Van Dijk are already beginning.
According to Dunphy, Van de Ven is an exceptional Dutch center-half who possesses all of Van Dijk’s qualities—he’s quicker, deft with the ball, and a strong defender—despite being somewhat younger.
Van de Ven of Tottenham could be van Dijk’s replacement at Liverpool
If Liverpool can somehow persuade Tottenham to part with their new star defender, Van de Ven might be the ideal replacement for Van Dijk, who will eventually need to be replaced.
The 22-year-old Dutch international is still very much in the early stages of his Premier League career, so if he ever wants to leave North London, Liverpool would be a sensible next destination.
The former VfL Wolfsburg player does, in fact, have a bright future ahead of him, and given the Tottenham team’s past, a transfer to Liverpool may be imminent.
