Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has claimed something other than Micky van de Ven’s speed is seriously impressive.
The Dutchman was able to get his name on the scoresheet over the weekend in the victory over Nottingham Forest.
Ange Postecoglou‘s side have now lifted themselves into the top four and could even give themselves a three point cushion by the time Aston Villa play next.
Timo Werner provided the cross for the opening goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but it was two defenders who stole the headlines.
Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro both got on the scoresheet after the half time break with two stunning strikes.
Goals have not been a major issue for Tottenham this season despite seeing Harry Kane leave over the summer.
Spurs have shared the goals out well across their frontline, but there has been a lack of goals coming from the midfield with James Maddison not quite hitting the heights from earlier in the term.
So it will have been pleasing for Postecoglou to see two of his defenders chip in with goals on Sunday as Heung-min Son failed to find the back of the net.
But there is something else which really impressed him about Van de Ven, in particular.
Postecoglou has been impressed with what he has noticed about Van de Ven
Having signed in the summer from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg for a fee in the region of £43m, Van de Ven has become a real force in the Premier League.
After the game against Forest on the weekend, the 22-year-old was likened to Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk during Sky Sports’ coverage of the game.
One issue the Dutchman has had is injuries to his hamstrings with the defender having already missed a number of months through two individual issues.
However, that has not stopped the likes of Ledley King showering the centre-back with praise over recent weeks.
The Spurs legend has admitted he is amazed that Tottenham were able to sign Van de Ven without any real competition.
And it has to be said, any Premier League side watching the performances Van de Ven is putting in this season will be kicking themselves that Spurs signed him.
His performances have been so impressive that another Spurs legend in Graham Roberts has already called for a new contract to be rewarded.
It is not just those who used to play for the club who are loving what they’re seeing from Van de ven as Postecoglou has now spoken to BBC Sport of his delight.
“Just his real sheer desire to be the best he can be and work hard every day,” he said.
“He has so many great qualities. I know people talk about his speed, but he is very strong defender aside from his speed. He is good in his duel. And he is getting better and better on the ball and his positioning.”
Key stat shows just how impressive Van de Ven has been for Tottenham
Postecoglou has transformed the football on display in north London since landing in the summer.
Spurs now play a front-footed, attacking style of football with Spurs enjoying the large majority of the possession.
With that comes the need for players who are solid on the ball and Van de Ven is certainly one of them.
According to WhoScored, no other Premier League player can match Van de Ven’s passing accuracy of 95.3% this season.
He truly is proving to be one of the signings of the season.
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