Mickey van de Ven could be key for Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham Hotspur.
The Italian arrives at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as a manager with plenty of ideas and a definitive identity to his style.
Often times, head coaches will need the right players at their disposal to truly make how they play football the most efficient and successful way.
With De Zerbi joining late in the season, he will not be able to integrate the types of profile he needs right from the first whistle.
However, ahead of De Zerbi’s first game, the role of Van de Ven could be crucial to making his style work from the start.
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Why Micky van de Ven is perfect for Roberto De Zerbi’s style
The Italian’s build-up style by inviting pressure and breaking the opposition’s press is a risk-reward tactic. It can often leave teams quite open and vulnerable for De Zerbi to attack.
However, that can also leave the 46-year-old’s side susceptible at the back as well, resulting in basketball-esque games.
According to Opta, De Zerbi’s Brighton side conceded more goals from opposition counter-attacks (15) than anyone else, while only Liverpool (57) faced more shots on the break than them (51).
That is where van de Ven comes in. The Dutchman’s pace could be a vital cog for the defensive setup in N17 and allow him to get back and cover those counter-attacks.
Additionally, with De Zerbi asking his defenders to pass along the backline, van de Ven emerging as the player with the most passes in his team’s half (878) will certainly please the new manager.
Furthermore, despite all of those passes, van de Ven has only made two errors this season, one leading to a goal and one leading to a shot.
In truth, the qualities that the Netherlands international possesses may end up making him the perfect defender for De Zerbi.
While van de Ven may thrive, Lucas Bergvall or Archie Gray have been tipped to falter at Tottenham.
Van de Ven staying fit is key for De Zerbi
The new Spurs manager may have some slight concerns surrounding van de Ven’s injury record, seeing as he missed 30 games in 2024-2025 and 14 games in 2023-2024.
This season, the 24-year-old has remained off the treatment bench with just one game missed due to a knock.
De Zerbi must keep it that way if he wants to have the best chance of succeeding at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Van de Ven could be crucial in implementing his philosophy, as there are not many players that have the pace and physicality of the Dutchman.