Tottenham told Micky van de Ven is best defender in the world and more complete than William Saliba

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Evening Standard

·1 October 2024

Tottenham told Micky van de Ven is best defender in the world and more complete than William Saliba

Centre-back produced the assist of the season so far against Manchester United

Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven has been labelled "the best centre-back in the world" after his stunning performance against Manchester United.

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The Dutch centre-back sailed through United's team at Old Trafford, running 60 yards into the penalty area before crossing for Brennan Johnson to tap home at the back post.

The goal gave Spurs the platform to complete a routine 3-0 win over a miserable United team and sealed manager Ange Postecoglou's first away victory over a fellow 'Big Six' side.

It is the second such assist Van de Ven has registered this season, after a similarly marauding run to set up Heung-min Son against Everton in August.

William Saliba and Micky van de Ven

The Standard

And former Spurs man Jamie O'Hara believes Van de Ven is the envy of Europe and a more complete player than Arsenal's William Saliba.

“[Van de Ven] is unbelievable," O'Hara said on talkSPORT. "I’ll go as far as to say that probably the best centre-back in the world right now.

"He is better than Saliba. He has got way more than Saliba .. Van de Ven is better than Saliba right now. Van de Ven is the best centre-half in the world right now."