Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven is being backed as good enough to make Liverpool transfer in the summer
Micky van de Ven
Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool have been told Micky van de Ven could soon be ready to make a move to Anfield as the Premier League champions continue to assess their centre-back options. The Reds this week bolstered their defensive resources by reaching a £60million agreement with Rennes to sign 20-year-old France under-21 international Jeremy Jacquet at the end of the season.
However, with Ibrahima Konate at present due to be out of contract in the summer, Virgil van Dijk turning 35 in July, Joe Gomez having suffered fitness issues the last 18 months and 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni having been out since September after ACL surgery, Liverpool may still look to strengthen depth at the heart of defence.
They have previously been linked with 24-year-old Holland international Van de Ven, who has become a regular for Tottenham since arriving from Wolfsburg in 2023.
And former Southampton and Holland winger Eljero Elia believes the centre-back will soon be primed for a big club such as Liverpool.
“I think van de Ven has to finish the season at Tottenham (by playing) consistently and show everybody he can go to the next level," he said.
“He’s strong and has good posture. He can score, he can dribble, and he can defend. If he continues like this, I think after the World Cup, he can make a good step to the bigger clubs.
“Not that Tottenham isn’t a big club, but clubs that are a step above, like Real Madrid and Liverpool. I think it fits his career to move from Tottenham to the big teams.”
Van Dijk has received criticism for his performances this season but Elia believes that is a consequence of his high standards of previous years.
“He’s not the same player of three or four years ago, but it’s still Virgil," he said. "You have to respect him and what he’s doing and how he plays.
"If he makes a mistake now, it’s all eyes on him. They don’t even look towards the other players or where they lose the ball. It’s straight to him.
"It’s Virgil! It’s not the same version, but he’s doing his thing and playing like a leader, but he can play better than we’ve seen him this season.”
Speaking to Futbin.com, Elia also backed Liverpool boss Arne Slot after a difficult campaign defending their title and is confident his compatriot is the right fit for the Anfield hotseat.
“I think Arne Slot has had bad luck this season, also with the injuries," he said. "I hope that he will do better. He has done better recently than the last few months, winning more matches. I don't hope he will get sacked.
“I think he is a very good coach for Liverpool, and the club fits him. I like him as a human being and how he is. He is very relaxed and doesn't do too much. He keeps his feet on the ground like a real gentleman.”