Thread by @EBL2017

Micky van de Ven is yet another sensational signing by Ange Postecoglou at Spurs.

The 22 year-old Dutchman is a physical specimen with rare speed despite standing at 6'4. He also has a HUGE technical potential as a left-footed centre back.

Below, I break down the move.

THREAD!

Mick van de Ven, or VDV for short, is a recently turned 22 year-old 6'4 centre back who spent his first year in top flight football with Wolfsburg last season.

Despite it being his first year at the top level, he started all but one of their 34 Bundesliga games.

Niko Kovac's Wolfsburg consistently played a system that represented a 3 at the back shape.

They either started with a back 3 with 3 central defenders or simply dropped their #6 in between the central defenders and created a situational back 3 as seen below with VDV on the left.

As a left footer, the environment at Wolfsburg suited VDV optimally as he could carry the ball into the space ahead of him whilst having cover behind him in the back 3.

The Dutchman regularly broke lines with his passing in that role.

The technique in which he plays passes is crisp, and it complements his 'conservative' approach to passing.

Unlike many modern day defenders, VDV values ball retention.

When you combine that with crisp and sharp passing (on both feet), he's unlikely to give the ball away.

However, it's a good thing that VDV is mainly cautious!

The #1 priority for defenders is technical security. VDV has that technical & mental approach.

As a 21 year-old (last season) in his first season in the top flight, it was only normal for him to be cautious in his actions.

It's important to note, though, that just because VDV prefers to be 'safe', doesn't mean he can't be ambitious.

In fact, the player is known for his physicality more than anything else. VDV clocked the highest speed in Bundesliga for defenders, and was 9th in the league overall.

Watch how he glides across to cover the run of Kolo Muani, one of the hottest prospects in the world, and win the ball with EASE!

When you combine that speed with the fact that he's 6'4 AND technically secure then it becomes clear why Spurs want him...

VDV is also uniquely agile for someone so tall. This enables him to carry the ball or turn directions fluidly.

Watch below as he combines his technical quality (sharp passing and ball-carrying) with his physicality (speed and agility) to break lines.

That agility for a 6'4 centre back is unique. How many defenders out there are as fast as VDV whilst being that agile when turning?

What I'm describing is the IDEAL centre back - someone who excels physically & technically with an optimal approach to being secure in possession..

However, the player is raw. Van de Ven played in the Dutch second division as soon as one season ago, and it's clear that he still has some developing to do.

The player may profile as a physical and technical specimen, but his defensive temperament needs to be tamed.

As part of his role in a back 3 at Wolfsburg, VDV had to step out and press attackers dropping between the lines. This could see him be overly aggressive on occasion which resulted in him diving into tackles and costing his team goals due to rash defending.

However, that was a role and system requirement for the player, so one cannot be too harsh on him with regards to that.

If van de Ven gets a coach who can teach him to be passive and delay in certain scenarios, forwards will shy away from taking him on due to his physicality.

Not only that, but the overall approach to duels regarding 'delaying' as opposed to diving in is optimal because it helps teammates get back to help out, it forces the attacker to beat the defender in a 1v1, etc.

Virgil van Dijk taught us that over the past number of years.

When VDV delays, he's a sensational defender. If Ange can coach him to reliably do that, he will excel even further, particularly alongside an aggressor in Romero.

Below we see him delay and use his physicality + his teammates help him retrieve possession.

If I was to compare VDV to a current player, it would be Konaté of Liverpool. They both have a thick physical frame whilst standing at 6'3/6'4 and possess unique speed and mobility for their size and weight.

They are also both similar in terms of how they act in possession.

Both Konaté and VDV have the quality to be progressive or step step into midfield and carry the ball, but neither player prefers to do that.

They are happier to focus on retaining possession and letting their other teammates provide the majority of progression and creativity.

It's very rare to see Konaté or van de Ven try to switch play or play long range passes.

Most of the time they play long is when they are pressurised in the build-up and simply hook the ball into the channel, for example.

That approach may not be flashy, but it's very useful.

However, unlike Konaté who is still safe in his technical actions to this day, Gabriel of Arsenal, another similar profile to VDV, developed quite a lot technically under Arteta's tutelage. VDV can undergo a similar level of development as his passing is more crisp than Konaté's.

Gabriel joined Arsenal with only 38 games in Ligue 1 played, similar to that in which VDV played in the Bundesliga at 33.

Both profiled as physical specimens with clear upside in possession due to the fact that they were technically secure and left-footed which is very valuable.

Just like Gabriel did, VDV will need time as he is currently raw and inexperienced and will be joining a Spurs team that has not played possession-based football is over half a decade.

That will see mistakes occur from time to time, but what's almost definite is he will improve.

Ange talked about bringing the right characters into the club in a recent press conference and VDV is exactly that.

The head of methodology at Volendam, the club Wolfsburg signed him from, described his will-to-win and elite mentality below.

Interestingly, Liverpool were interested in VDV too but decided to not pursue the player because they believed a move to Anfield would come too soon for the Wolfsburg defender.

For a project at 'end-game', that makes sense, but Spurs are at the start of a rebuild.

They can afford to bring a guy like VDV on board as they are at the start of their process.

However, it's key to note that he's good enough to make a difference straight away.

Spurs haven't had height and technical quality in their defence for a long time, but now they do.

In terms of balance, if Ange can coach VDV to be cautious in his approach to duels, the partnership of Romero & VDV will excel due to the fact that Romero is incredibly aggressive whereas VDV can drop off & cover for him.

Not only that, but he's also a monster in the air at 6'4.

VDV profiles as a 🔝 signing for Ange at this stage in the rebuild, even if the player himself is raw & there will also be a transitional process from a back 3 system into a back 4.

Ange's Celtic started in the very 1st phase in a 4-3-3 with large distances between each player.

That new environment will be difficult for VDV and Spurs as a whole to adapt to, but given time they will develop as individuals and as a collective and the build-up will improve.

Spurs have already made huge improvements in their build-up with Vicario replacing Lloris too..

Overall, the VDV deal makes complete sense for Ange and Spurs.

It is yet another outstanding signing on top of Maddison and Vicario who are all sure things to improve the short and long-term trajectory of the process.

Ange's start at the club has been incredibly exciting.

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