Micky Van de Ven’s addition back in the summer of 2023 raised eyebrows among many Tottenham Hotspur supporters, especially after the hierarchy forked out £40m for his signature.
Such a fee was a hefty one during the Daniel Levy era, but it may have come as more of a surprise given the Dutchman was largely an unknown quantity to many of the fans.
However, just over a couple of years on from his move, he’s cemented himself as a key member of Thomas Frank’s squad - arguably being one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Despite his defensive role, the 24-year-old has had a huge impact within attacking areas, netting three times in the Premier League this season - putting him joint top of the Lilywhites’ goalscoring charts.
It’s not all been plain sailing for the club within the defensive department, with numerous other big-money additions unable to live up to the hefty fees paid for their services.
Spurs’ issues at centre-back for Van de Ven’s arrival
Spending big on centre-backs hasn’t been alien to Spurs in recent years, as seen by their £42m addition of Davinson Sanchez back in the summer of 2017 - a then club-record transfer.
The Colombian racked up over 200 appearances for the Lilywhites over a six-year period, subsequently leaving in the summer of 2023 to join Turkish side Galatasaray.
He was a solid option under various managers in North London, but ultimately, the fanbase were left disappointed - especially after paying a club-record fee for his signature.
Joe Rodon was another youngster signed by the hierarchy to potentially grow into an elite-level centre back, subsequently paying Swansea City £11m back in the summer of 2020.
However, the Welshman would only make 15 Premier League appearances for the club, before being sold to Leeds United as part of the Archie Gray deal in 2024.
It’s safe to say with Van de Ven, times have changed in North London, but the club have already unearthed another top-level talent who could be a real hit with the fans in the years to come.
The Spurs star who’s a bigger talent than Van de Ven
Whilst he’s been battling with injuries over the last few months, Van de Ven’s importance to the Spurs side simply cannot be understated - with Frank’s men a much better side with the Dutchman at the back.
He’s already helped the Lilywhites keep seven clean sheets across all competitions, with the 24-year-old evidently having a huge impact at both ends of the pitch.
The defender has also demonstrated his strength in another area, with the former Wolfsburg man registering the fastest speed of any player in England’s top-flight throughout 2024/25.
At present, he’s currently partnered by Cristian Romero at the heart of the backline, but that could be about to change in the years ahead, given the emergence of Luka Vuskovic.
The Lilywhites forked out a reported fee in the region of £12m for the signature of teenage sensation from Hajduk Split, with real hope he can be a first team starter in the near future.
The Croatian has spent a couple of years out on loan, with his spell on loan at Westerlo catching the eye - but for his attacking quality rather than his talent at the back - just like Van de Ven.
He scored seven times and notched two assists in his 36 outings, a simply staggering feat for a young defender, which earned him another loan move - this time to Bundesliga side, Hamburg.
The prospect of top-flight German football may have seemed like a huge jump to many, but the 18-year-old has wasted no time in impressing the supporters of Die Rothosen.
Vuskovic, who’s been labelled “one of the most exciting teenage centre-backs” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has already opened his account for the German side in 2025/26.
However, his defensive stats are just as impressive, with the youngster winning a staggering 10.2 duels per 90 - 7.5 of which have been in the air - subsequently achieving a success rate of 87%.
He’s also completed 100% of the dribbles he’s attempted, whilst completing a total of 84% of his passes - showcasing his incredible all-round game despite his tender age.
It’s very rare you come across such a dominant young centre-back, but it’s clear Vuskovic has all the tools needed to be a monster hit with the Lilywhites fanbase in the years to come.
Should he stay on his current path, there’s no reason why he can’t emulate Van de Ven’s success in North London and even surpass the Dutchman’s recent levels.