Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven has come under increasing criticism in the Netherlands following another difficult performance during the international break.
Van de Ven has played every minute of the Netherlands’ three matches, but has been used at left-back rather than his preferred position in central defence.
That decision has attracted criticism, with Dutch journalist Valentijn Driessen now urging manager Xavi to make a change.
Van de Ven struggling at left-back
Xavi initially used Virgil van Dijk and Jan Paul van Hecke as his central defensive partnership.
However, Van Hecke’s injury forced another reshuffle against Greece, with Jurriën Timber moving into central defence alongside Van Dijk while Van de Ven remained on the left.
Former players Marciano Vink and Kenneth Perez have already questioned the Tottenham defender’s performances, with Perez claiming the Netherlands have “a problem” at left-back.
Driessen has now joined the criticism after watching Van de Ven against Greece.
“You can almost see Van de Ven looking around as if to say: what am I supposed to do?” Driessen said.
“He just needs to receive clear instructions before a match and not all sorts of tactical tricks otherwise.”
Driessen believes the Dutch players are becoming too focused on following Xavi’s tactical instructions rather than playing naturally.
Xavi urged to make change
After three consecutive matches with Van de Ven at left-back, Driessen believes it is time to select a more natural option.
“I hope Xavi will just put a normal left-back there for once,” he said.
He suggested Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato as one possible alternative, despite believing Hato is also naturally better through the middle.
The criticism comes despite Van de Ven holding an increasingly important role at club level.
Roberto De Zerbi made the 25-year-old Tottenham’s new captain this season, with Van de Ven starting four Premier League matches and regularly partnering Van Hecke in central defence.
However, Spurs’ wider struggles have added further pressure. Tottenham remain without a league victory after five matches and sit bottom of the Premier League with two points.
For Van de Ven, returning to his preferred centre-back role could provide the opportunity to rediscover his best form.
Key Points
- Micky van de Ven has faced criticism for his Netherlands performances at left-back.
- The Tottenham captain has played every minute of three matches during the international break.
- Valentijn Driessen believes Van de Ven looks uncomfortable with Xavi’s tactical demands.
- Driessen has urged Xavi to select a natural left-back, suggesting Jorrel Hato as an alternative.
- Van de Ven remains an important player for Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham despite Spurs’ poor start.
What’s Next?
Van de Ven will return to Tottenham after the international break hoping to put the criticism behind him.
His role at Spurs is significantly different, with De Zerbi primarily using him in central defence and handing him the captaincy.
With Tottenham still searching for their first Premier League victory of the season, Van de Ven will have an immediate opportunity to respond on the pitch and help De Zerbi’s side recover from their difficult start.
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