Micky van de Ven is a ‘world-class’ defender who would ‘walk into’ Manchester City’s starting line-up.
That’s according to former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara, who has been singing the praises of Van de Ven.
The Netherlands international joined Spurs from Wolfsburg last summer and has caught the eye with his immense speed.
However, with that speed has come a spate of hamstring injuries, one of which has Van de Ven sidelined right now.
Some have been left wondering whether or not the uncertainty over his fitness is counter-balanced enough by his effectiveness when he plays.
Is Micky van de Ven ‘world-class’?
Irrespective of injuries, former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders believes it’s far too early to label Van de Ven ‘world-class’.
However, O’Hara reacted strongly to his fellow talkSPORT host in the following conversation (via CaughtOffside), championing Van de Ven’s qualities.
Jamie O’Hara: “I think Van de Ven is a world-class player.”
Dean Saunders: “Van de Ven? He has had one season playing in the high line. World class? Van de Ven?”
Jamie O’Hara: “Van de Ven is world-class.”
Dean Saunders: “He ain’t getting in Manchester City’s team. He is not getting in Liverpool’s.”
Jamie O’Hara: “What are you talking about? He would walk straight into Manchester City’s team. He walks into it.”
Dean Saunders: “No chance.”
Jamie O’Hara: “He walks into any team.”
Dean Saunders: “He needs to show for a couple of years yet that he can keep playing in the Premier League at that level without making mistakes. No mistakes. Top players don’t make mistakes.”
Jamie O’Hara: “Of course, they do.”
Dean Saunders: “Van Dijk hardly makes a mistake. He does now and again, but not as many as others. And that’s why he is Van Dijk. Konate doesn’t make that many mistakes. Man City’s centre-backs.”
Both pundits may have a point, with Van de Ven clearly making a huge difference to Spurs when he plays, but with Ange Postecoglou’s side missing him dearly on the regular occasions that he is missing.
Despite feeling so strongly about Van de Ven, O’Hara has declared that Son Heung-min no longer falls into the ‘world-class’ category.
